Leucerne (Medicago sativa)

• It is perennial leguminous fodder crop
• It is also known as ‘alfa-alfa’.
• It is also called as ‘queen of fodder’.
• It provides fodder throughout year especially during two periods of fodder scarcity; May-June, October-November

Climate and Altitude:

• It needs more than 15°C for better production.
• It can be cultivated from Terai-High hills (59m-1500m asl).

Soil and Land Preparation:

• Except sandy soils, it can be grown in all types of soils.
• Good seedbed is prepared by furrow-turning plough followed by 3-4 shallow cultivation and planking.

Method of sowing:

• It can be sown either through drill method or broadcasting.
• 10-12kg/ha seeds can be sown in line sowing of 45 cm apart.
• For broadcasting: 20-25 kg/ha seed

Sowing season:

• Terai: Aswin-Kartik
• High hills: Jestha-Ashad

Fertilizer Dose:

• Urea: 25kg/ha
• Phosphorus: 60kg/ha
• Potash: 25 kg/ha
• FYM: 25 MT/ha

Irrigation:

• First irrigation done after 3 weeks of sowing.
• Irrigation is then done at 15-20 days in winter and 10-15 days in summer.

Harvesting Time and Production:

• Harvesting is done after 50-60 days of sowing.
• Second cut is obtained after plant reaches height of 45-50 cm (after 30 days of first cutting).
• Fodder yield: 70-80 MT/ha
• Seed production: 150-300 kg/ha

Varieties:

• Kowamaotur-1
• Sirsa No-9
• Ladak
• Hunter River

Nutrient Content of Leucerne: