HEDGE LUCERNE/VELIMASAL/DESMANTHUS FODDER SEEDS Hedge lucerne is a perennial (7 harvest/year) green fodder crop and it comes up to 3-3.5 years. It's having rich in protein (20-22 %) and good green fodder to goat, cow, sheep, rabbit & poultry also increase the weight gain and improves productivity of milk yield. It sows throughout the year under irrigation and rainfed crop also. Spacing is 50x25 cm & form ridge and furrow type field preparation (should maintain like ridge to ridge 50 cm and plant to plant 25 cm) seed rate is 7-8 kg/acre in solid stand on the side of the ridges over the lines (follow either left or right side) at a depth of 2 cm and cover with soil. Irrigate immediately after sowing, life irrigation on the third day and thereafter once in a week. First cut on 85-90th day after sowing at 50-60 cm height and subsequent cuts at intervals of 35-40 days at the same height. Number of branches per plant is 15-20. Green fodder yield is 100-115 t/acre/year. HOW TO GROW:To get better germination seeds must be treated in hot water at 80 o C for 10 minutes.Then seeds should be soaked in normal water over night (12 hours).Seeds should be shade dry before sowing for 1 hour.Start with a mixture of agro peat, organic manure and soil in 20:20:60 ratio. It helps to increase water holding capacity of growing medium and also in easy penetration of roots. If good quality agro peat or manure is not available, you may use the available soil. Now open the seed packet on a white sheet of paper, to avoid them from falling out. Insert the seeds into the prepared mixture to half inch of depth. Moisten the newly planted seeds only by sprinkling water.It is advisable not to directly pour water over the saplings as the force of water might damage them.
