Desmodium (Desmodium intortum, Desmodium species):

• It is perennial leguminous fodder which grows upto 0.5-1m tall.
• It can fix nitrogen at rate of 90-150 kg in soil

Climate and altitude:

• It can be grown from tropical to temperate climate
• It can be grown from Terai to High Hills (59-2000m asl)

Soil:

• It can be cultivated in dry area also
• Sandy-loam soil is best for its cultivation (pH=5)
• It donot grow well in water-logging areas.

Land preparation:

• Field should be ploughed 3-4 times to make loose and fine soil.
• Weeding should be done. Collected weeds are either buried underground or burnt.

Seed rate: 2-3 kg/ha

Sowing Season: Jestha-Ashad (June-July)

Method of sowing:

• Seeds are first treated with rhizobium inoculation and then broadcasted or sown in line.
• Stem cuttings can also be used for sowing.

Fertilizer:

• Nitrogen: 20kg/ha
• Phosphorus: 60 kg/ha

Irrigation: Depends on moisture of soil

Harvesting Time:

• 1^st cutting is obtained after 4 months of sowing.
• Cuttings are then obtained at 12-week interval, cutting 10 cm or higher above soil level.

Production:

• Green fodder: 40-50 MT/ha
• Seed: 600 kg/ha

Nutrient Content: