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Main Forage Research Station, Anand

Research Recommendation (Approved in Joint AGRESCO)

  • Research Recommendations made for the Farmers : (Approved in Joint AGRESCO)

(i)         Varieties

Following varieties of different spices have been developed by this station and released for different production conditions in the state. 

Sr. No.

Name of the crop

Name of the Variety

Year of Release

Yield q/ha

Chief Characteristics

1.

Sorghum

C-10-2

1945

300-350

Medium plant height, narrow leaves, small earhead.

 

 

S-1049

1955

275-350

Rapid growth and nutrition's, palatable, tender and juicy green forage, low HCN content.

 

 

GFS-3

1984

500-550

More number of leaves, fodder quality excellent.

 

 

GFS-4

1989

360-400

Good potentiality for multicut, its stalk is sweet and juicy, loose earhead and grains are white with read tinch.

 

 

GFSH-1

1992

469 Single cut

650-700 Multicut

Multicut hybrid, dark green leaves compact earhead and grains are white, moderately salt tolerant.

 

 

GFS- 5

1998

400-450

Multicut variety, stem sweet and thin, leaves are light green colour.

 

 

GAFS-11

2012

400

Single cut nature, Broad leaves

 

 

CoFS-29

2013

449.3

Multicut

Known as grassy sorghum, perennial nature (Multicut) profuse tillering (4.0) Tall type, higher numbers of leaves (32-38), High GF (449.3 q/ha), DM (122.8 q/ha) and CP (9.91 q/ha) than national check SSG-59-3 high palatability. Less incidence of anthracnose, zonate leaf spot and leaf blight.

 

 

GAFS-12

2016

300

Single cut nature, thin stem, higher leaf stem ration

2.

Lucerne

GAUL-1

1975

800-1000 (Annual)

Plants tall, erect type, crown above the ground, vigorous growing, leaves are broad and light green colour, flowers are purple in colour. It gives 10-12 cutting in a year.

 

 

GAUL-2

1980

800-950 (Annual)

Resistance to downy mildew, flowers are purple in colour.

 


Sr. No.

Name of the crop

Name of the Variety

 

Year of Release

Yield q/ha

Chief Characteristics

 

Lucerne

AL-3

2006

1000-1100 (Annual)

The variety, Anand Lucerne-3 (AL-3) is recommended for Lucerne growing areas of Middle Gujarat. It yields nutritious and palatable fodder continuously for 2 to 3 years as well as it gives more herbage. It has good regeneration capacity and negligible incidence of pests and diseases. It has dark green foliage, oblong leaves, thick stem, 70.9 cm average plant height with 47 tillers/m. row.

 

 

 

AL-4

2013

800-900

Perennial nature. Recommended for North west zone of India.

3.

Oat

JO-03-91

2014

600

q/ha

Single cut, higher yield, higher leaf stem ratio, Resistance to leaf blight, root rot and powdery mildew diseases.

 

4.

Cowpea

GFC-1

1980

250-300

Trailing type plants, dark green pods, days to 50 % flowering is 65-70 days, recommended for Kharif sowing.

 

GFC-2

1980

270-350

Performed well in summer season. Trailing type plants, dark green pods.

 

GFC-3

1980

270-330

Performed well during Kharif season, trailing type plants.

 

GFC-4

1980

290-350

Performed well during summer season.

 

5.

Marvel grass

GMG-1

1980

60-70 DFY rainfed

100-120 DFY irrigated

Seeds are very small, plants are sturdy, profuse tillering having 32-48 per cent leafiness. Suitable for making hay. Producer high quality of hay as well as green forage in short time.

GAMG-2

 

2009

185-190 GFY

 

80-85 DMY

Looking to the yield performance it gave 26.4 and 28.7 percent yield of green fodder and dry matter yield than GMG-1. More palatable as compared to GMG-1

 


Sr. No.

Name of the crop

Name of the Variety

 

Year of Release

Yield q/ha

Chief Characteristics

6.

Dharaf grass

GAUD-1

1979

150-200

Suitability in medium black soils, sessile spike lets in groups, seeds pale yellowish in colour with oval shape.

7.

Hybrid Napier

APBN-1

2001

Ist  year

2000 GFY

IInd  year

1500  GFY

IIIrd year 1000 to 1200  GFY

The stems are less fibrous, tillers are more, faster growth habit, foliage dark green plant semi erect, tender leaves.

CO-3

2010

Av. GFY 1100-1200 q/ha/year

Av. DMY

200-250

q/ha/year

More leafy, Tall growing, high tillering, broad leaves and soft, fast regeneration capacity, highly palatable having good quality fodder

 

8.

Anjan

Grass

GAAG-1

2011

200-225 q/ha/year

Perennial nature, for pasture land, long broad leaves high leaf stem ratio.

9.

Guinea grass

JHGG-8-1

2013

1512

q/ha/year

Tall type, high tillering, light green foliage, long broad leaves.  

 

CO (GG)-3

2016

2300-2400 q/ha/year

Perennial nature, large and softer leaves, robust tillering

10.

Forage Pearl millet

GFB-1

2005

Single cut: 350-400 GFY Multicut:

600-800  GFY

Dark green foliage, high leaf stem ratio, maximum tillering capacity, good regeneration capacity, suitable in summer condition.

 

 

AFB-3

2011

Single cut: 300-400

Recommended for North west zone of India high tillering, high leaf stem ratio.

 

(ii)Research Recommendations for the Farmers : (also crop wise) (1984) on wards)

AGRONOMY & QUALITY EVALUATION :

FORAGE SORGHUM:

  • The farmers of middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone growing kharif or summer sorghum in zinc deficient soils are advised to add FYM @ 10 t/ha every year and Zinc sulphate @ 25 kg/ha every third year for getting higher green and dry matter yield as well as good quality fodder (NICBR 1:2.10).     
  • The marginal farmers may apply only Zinc sulphate once in three years without FYM (ICBR 1: 2.73). In all the cases N and P should be applied @ 80 and 40 kg/ha, respectively.
  • The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone growing fodder sorghum variety SSG 59-3 are advised to treat the seed with Azotobacter for getting higher dry matter yield and crude protein production.  Nitrogen should also be applied @ 50 kg/ha in two equal splits, first as basal and the second 30 DAS for one cutting management and for two cuttings management top dressing should be done immediately after first cutting.
  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III growing sorghum variety SSG.59-3 in kharif season in soils having medium availability of phosphorus and deficient level of sulphur are advised to apply 40 kg phosphorus (87 kg DAP) and 20 kg sulphur (133 kg gypsum) per hectare every year to obtain maximum forage yield, total returns, net ICBR and better quality (crude protein and digestible dry matter production) of forage. These levels also remarkably reduced the HCN content in leaf (11 to 33%) and shoot  (12 to  156%) of forage sorghum. (A common basal dose of 25 kg N/ha at the time of sowing, 25 kg N/ha at 30 DAS and 25 kg N/ha after the first cut i.e., 60 DAS should be applied).
  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III growing forage sorghum in kharif season in soils having marginal available zinc and Fe status are advised to apply 8 Kg ZnSO4 + 15 Kg FeSO4 per ha every year to obtain higher forage yield, total return, net ICBR and better forage quality (crude protein and digestible dry matter production). Alternatively, the farmers can also supplement the micronutrients by 1.0 % foliar application of micronutrient mixture having concentration of Fe-6%, Mn-1%, Zn-4%, Cu-0.3% and B-0.5% equivalent to Government notified grade-III Zn-4%, Cu-0.3% and B-0.5% equivalent to Government notified grade-III (Fe deficiency) at 20, 30 and 40 days after sowing (A common basal dose of 25 Kg N + 25 Kg P2O5/ha and 25 kg N/ha after one month of sowing should also be applied).
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone- III are advised to sown Fodder sorghum variety GFS-5 upto 30th June to get higher yield and net profit.
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro climatic zone - III growing multicut  forage sorghum cv. CoFS-29 are recommended to apply 160 kg N/ha along with phosphorus @ 60 kg/ha  for higher green forage , dry matter, crude protein yields and net realization. Nitrogen to be applied in four equal splits at basal, 30 DAS, after first cut (55 DAS) and second cut (100 DAS) and entire dose of phosphorus to be applied as basal.

 

LUCERNE:

              FORAGE PRODUCTION:

  • Lucerne varieties SS-627 and Anand-2 should be sown early by line sowing during second week of November for obtaining higher forage yield and net realization.
  • Lucerne variety Anand-2 and SS-627 should be sown by line sowing at the seed rate of 10 kg/ha for obtaining higher forage yield and net realization.
  • Farmers of middle Gujarat Zone growing lucerne for green forage in medium fertile soils are advised to apply 50 kg P2O5/ha and 50 kg K2O/ha in addition to 20 kg N/ha as basal dose for getting the maximum net realization from variety Anand-2.
  • Farmers of AES-II of middle Gujarat Zone cultivating lucerne crop are advised to irrigate their crop through sprinkler instead of following surface method of irrigation to save about 15% water and get about 24% more income per hectare. They should irrigate the crop at 11-12 days till January, 8-10 days during February and weekly interval during March and April. They should operate the system for 2.5 hrs. to apply about 40 mm depth of irrigation. The system should be placed at 12 m x 12 m grid and operate at  2 1/2   kg/cm2 pressure).
  • The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III (AES-II) are advised to spray GA3 (Growth regulator) @ 40 milligram/litre to the lucerne (var. Anand-2) crop at 30 days after sowing for achieving higher forage yield, better quality and more net realization.

SEED PRODUCTION:

  • Farmers of middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III growing Lucerne variety GAUL-1 are advised to apply 40 kg S/ha in the form of gypsum (300 kg/ha) and 25 kg ZnSO4 in soils having Zn status marginal to deficient to obtain higher seed yield of lucerne and net returns. A common basal dose of 10 tones FYM/ha and 25:50:50 kg NPK/ha should also be applied to the crop.
  • For obtaining higher realization and seed yield of lucerne, variety Anand-2 should be sown by line sowing during second week of November (15th) by keeping seed rate 5 kg/ha. No phosphorus is required under Anand soil conditions where availability of P2O5 is high.
  • Under North Gujarat Zone soil conditions, where availability of P is medium, the farmers are advised to sow lucerne (Var. Anand-2) during last week of October at a spacing of 25 cm with a seed rate of 10 kg/ha and application of P @ 80 kg/ha.
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro climatic zone-III growing lucerne (Anand-2) on soils  having marginal Zn and deficient Fe status are advised to apply 25 kg ZnSO4 and 50 kg FeSO4 per ha every year besides application of 20:40:40 kg NPK/ha to obtain higher seed yield and net returns.

MAIZE:

  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone are advised to adopt rabi forage production system of cross sowing of Kent variety of oat with maize (Ganga safed-2) at 25 cm apart for obtaining higher green and dry matter production, crude protein and net return.
  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone growing maize variety Gujarat Maize-1 in rabi season are advised to use seed rate of 80 kg/ha. They are also advised to apply 140 kg N/ha [50% as basal and 50% as top dressing (30 DAS) to get 19% more income]. When status of the available P is medium, application of P was not beneficial.
  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III growing maize variety Gujarat Maize-2 in kharif season are advised to apply every year multi-micronutrients consisting of Fe-2.0%, Mn-0.5 %, Zn-5.0%, Cu- 0.2% and B-0.5% equivalent to Government  notified  grade-V for soil application @ 20 kg/ha having  marginal status of Zn and Fe to obtain higher forage yield, total return, net ICBR and better forage  quality  (Crude  protein and  digestible dry matter  production). Alternatively, the micronutrients can be supplemented by 1% foliar application of multi-micronutrients mixture having Fe-2.%, Mn 0.5%, Zn-8.0%, Cu-0.5% and B-0.5% equivalent to government notified grade-I (Zn deficiency) at 20, 30 and 40 days after sowing. (A common basal dose of 40 Kg N + 40 Kg P2O5/ha and 40 Kg N/ha after 30 days of sowing also be applied).

RAJKA BAJRA:

  • The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro climatic Zone growing Rajka bajra for fodder purpose are advised to use seed rate of 12 kg/ ha keeping the sowing distance 45 cm between the rows and fertilize the crop with 100 kg N/ha (50 kg N/ha as basal and 50 kg N/ha just after first cut). An additional 50 kg N/ha should be given after each cut. The application of P2O5/ha is not beneficial, when native P is medium to high.
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone- III (AES-II) growing forage bajra are advised to grow genotype AFB-1 or AFB-2 (GFB-1) for four cuts at an interval of 40 + 25 + 25 + 25 days and harvest the crop at an cutting (stubble) height of 15.0 cm above the ground for higher forage production with better quality and for getting higher net realization.

OATS:

  • The farmers of Middle Gujarat Argo-climatic Zone are advised to grow Oats (Kent or JHO- 822) with the application of 80 kg N/ ha for getting higher green and dry matter yield as well as crude protein. Nitrogen should be applied in three splits, i.e. 50 % as basal and 25 % each after 30 days of sowing and after first cut. There should be two cuttings first 50 days after sowing and the second at 50 % flowering stage (NICBR 1:7.69). For marginal and sub-marginal farmers’ nitrogen recommendation is 40 kg/ ha applied in three splits (NICBR 1: 8.95).
  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone are advised to adopt rabi forage production system of cross sowing of Kent variety of oat with maize (Ganga safed-2) at 25 cm apart for obtaining higher green and dry matter production, crude protein and net return.
  • Farmer of Middle Gujarat Argo-climatic Zone growing Oat (JHO-822) for green forage are advised to fertilize the crop with 60 kg N/ha (50% as basal and 50 % as top dressing 30 DAS) for getting maximum green forage yield and 24% increased income.
  • Farmer of AEC-II of Middle Gujarat Zone growing Oats variety Kent for dual purpose are advised to apply 80 kg N/ ha (50% at sowing and 50 % after first cut 50-55 DAS) to obtain higher forage and seed yield as well as maximum net realization.
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro climatic zone-III growing oat (Kent) for seed purpose are advised to give six irrigations each of 50 mm (first five irrigation at 15-20 days interval and 6th irrigation at 13-15 days interval after fifth irrigation) along with nitrogen application @ 75 kg/ha (50% N should be applied at the time of sowing and remaining 50% nitrogen should be given at 30 and 60 days after sowing in equal splits) for higher seed yield and net realization.
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro climatic zone- III are recommended to grow oat (JHO-822) as dual purpose, first cut at 60 days after sowing for green fodder and leave it for grain production to get quality forage with higher grain yield and net return.

PANDADIU  (Wild Chicory) :

  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone- III (AES-II) growing pandadiu are advised to use seed rate of 10 kg/ha and fertilize the crop with 45 kg N/ha after each cut to obtain higher green forage, dry matter and crude protein yields and for getting higher net realization. (A common basal dose of 30 kg N/ha + 30 kg P2O5/ha should also be applied to the crop).
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone- III (AES-II) growing lucerne and pandadiu crops are advised to adopt mixed cropping of lucerne and pandadiu with seed ratio proportion of 7.5 + 2.5 kg/ha of lucerne + pandadiu alongwith 30 kg N/ha basal and 15 kg N/ha after each cutting to obtain higher green forage, dry matter and crude protein yields and for getting higher net realization. (A common basal application of 10 t FYM/ha + 50 kg P2O5/ha should also be done to the crop).

HYBRID NAPIER:

  • Farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone-III growing hybrid Napier cv. APBN-1 are advised to follow 100 x 50 cm or 50 x 50 cm spacing and fertilize with 75 kg N/ ha after each cut up to two years. (A common basal dose of FYM 10 t / ha + 50 kg N + 50 kg P2O5 / ha should also be applied to the crop).
  • Intercrop cowpea GFC-3 during kharif and lucerne GAUL-1 during rabi season should be sown in between two lines of hybrid napier (150 cm x 25 cm) at 25 cm apart to obtain maximum forage production of hybrid napier and the intercrops (Cowpea) kharif and (Lucerne) rabi. It also improved the forage quality. This practice in advantageous successively for two years and thereafter it is not economical due to excessive decline in yield under Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic conditions.
  • Intercrop Guar during kharif and lucerne variety GAUL-2 during rabi season should be sown in between two lines of hybrid napier (150 cm x 50 cm) at 25 cm apart to obtain maximum forage yields of hybrid napier and the intercrops Guar (Kharif) and (Lucerne) rabi under North Gujarat Agro-climatic zone. Hybrid napier crop is advantageous to keep in the filed for two years only.
  • The farmers of middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone III  growing hybrid napier are recommended to grow variety Co-3 and to fertilized with 75 kg N/ha after each cut upto three years along with common dose of 50 kg N/ha + 50 kg P2O5/ha has basal to obtain higher green forage, dry matter, crude protein and  net realization.  

GUINEA GRASS:

  • The farmers of Middle Gujarat Agro-climatic zone growing guinea grass are advised to give Azospirillum treatment (3 packet/ ha of ASN 108 living cell/ g) to guinea grass seedlings and apply 30 kg N/ha during each cutting for getting higher green forage, dry matter and crude protein yields of guinea grass grown for three years.

CROP SEQUENCE:

  • The farmers of middle Gujarat agro-climatic zone- III (AES-II) are advised to adopt cropping system of Hybrid napier (APBN-1) with cowpea (EC-4216) as inter crop in kharif and lucerne (GAUL-1) in rabi for obtaining the higher net return (CBR-1:2.05). It gives higher forage production round the year for two to three years cycle under irrigated condition.
  • The farmers of Middle Gujarat, Agro-climatic Zone-III (AES-II) are advised to grow sorghum (S-1049) (single cut) in kharif, sunflower (EC-68414) in semi rabi and lucerne (GAUL-1) in rabi season with application of 100% RDF to each crop along with 30 t FYM/ha to kharif crop to obtain higher forage production, quality as well as higher net realization (CBR- 1:1.65) under irrigated conditions.
  • On long term basis, FYM 25% N + 50% NPK through inorganic fertilizers + Bio fertilizers in Sorghum + Cowpea-Lucerne system was more beneficial than100% through inorganic fertilizers in central zone.
  • Planting of Cenchrus ciliaris with Desmanthus vergatus in 1:1 ratio on ridges and furrow is recommended for better production with higher profit under rain fed condition of Gujarat.

CROP PROTECTION:

  • One spray of endosulfan 0.075% + mancozeb 0.2% is recommended to avoid loss (16.49%) (ICBR 1:12.93) in seed yield due to different insect pests (Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura ) in lucerne crop under middle Gujarat Agro-climatic Zone.   
  • For the effective and economic control of sucking pests (Aphid, jassid and thrips) and anthracnose and yellow mosaic virus in lucerne the farmers of middle Gujarat are advised to apply endosulfan 0.07% + mancozeb 0.02 % twice (each spray after 10 days of cut) during winter season when pest population is high (ICBR 1:18.69).
  • For the effective and economics control of Spodoptera, Helicoverpa and rust disease in lucerne, following modules are recommended:

(i) Raising of marigold (0.5 m apart) on border of the field and on inside bunds.

(ii) Raising the castor plants (3.0 m apart) on border of the field and on inside bunds.

(iii) Application of NSE 5% and mancozeb 0.2% at the time of flowering. Application of HNPV and SNPV @ 250 LE/ha at the appearance of 2 larvae/m2 followed by application of mancozeb 0.2% (ICBR 1:3.87).   

  • The farmers of middle Gujarat are advised to give seed treatment of carbendzim @ 2 g/kg seed (ICBR 1:128.66) for the management of root rot in forage cowpea. 
 
 
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