Stylo (Stylosanthes hamata):

• It is perennial leguminous fodder and useful to protect land erosion.
• It grows 0.6-1.8 m tall
• It is also k/a legume of poor country because it is easy to grow and helps to improve land.

Climate and Altitude:

• It can be grown from tropical to temperate climatic conditions in Nepal.
• It can be grown from Terai-High Hills (57-2000m asl)

Soil Type:

• It can be grown well in most of soil with pH 4.5-8.0
• Sandy-loam soil is best for Stylo production.

Land preparation:

• It is prepared by 2-3 ploughing to make fine soil and removing weeds.
• It can also be grown in sloppy land, community land, roadside, etc.

Seed rate:

• Line sowing: 4-6 kg/ha
• Broadcasting: 8-10 kg/ha

Sowing season: Jestha-Ashad

Method of sowing:

• Line sowing is done in well-prepared field.
• Seeds are sown in line at distance of 2 cm from other seed in same line.
• Depth of sowing should not exceed 2 cm and should not be covered by soil.

Seed Treatment:

• First of all, seeds are placed in 10% salt water solution.
• Debris or plant materials that comes at water surface are removed.
• Seed are then treated with 10% sugar solution inoculated with rhizobium inoculum and then dried in shade.
• This treated seed then sown in field within 24 hours.

Fertilization:

• FYM: 10 tons/ha
• NPK: 20:60:15 kg/ha

Irrigation:

• Time to time irrigation is required depending on moisture of soil.

Harvesting:

• First cutting are obtained 2-3 months of sowing
• Cuttings are then obtained 45 days after first cutting or 45 days’ interval.
• 3 cuttings can be obtained.

Production:

• Green fodder: 25-30MT/ha in 3 cuttings
• Seed production: 300-800 kg/ha

Nutrient content of Stylo: