Vetch (Vicia sativa):

• It is winter leguminous annual fodder crop.
• It can be cultivated in tropical to temperate geographical region.

Climate and altitude:

• It can be grown in tropical to temperate climatic condition.
• It can be grown from terai to mid hills (59-1700m asl).

Soil:

• Silty loam to loam soil is suitable.
• Acidic soils are not suitable for crop production.

Land preparation:

• 2-3 times plowing with one planking is done to crush bigger size of soil.

Seed rate: 35-40 kg/ha

Sowing season: Aswin-Kartik (October-November)

Fertilizer Dose:

• Nitrogen- 30 kg/ha
• Phosphorus- 60 kg/ha
• Potash- 40 kg/ha
• Half dose of nitrogen is applied before sowing and remaining half dose is applied after first cutting of fodder crop.

Irrigation:

• 2-3 irrigation is done depending on soil moisture condition.

Harvesting Time:

• 1^st cut- 60 days after sowing
• 2 more cutting done depending on growth of plant.

Production:

• Green fodder: 40-50MT/ha, under better technology, it can reach up to 60-70 MT/ha
• Seed production: 600-700 kg/ha

Varieties: Nomai, Papani

Nutrient content of Vetch: