Fodder Crop Genetic Resources in Temperate Areas

Temperate Fodder Crop Genetic Resources by Dr. Sheeraz Saleem Bhat

1. Dr. Sheeraz Saleem Bhat
Scientist (ARS-Forestry)
ICAR-Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute,
Regional Research Station, Srinagar
Email: [email protected]
Temperate Fodder Crop Genetic Resources
for
Sustainable Fodder Production

2. All those crop species which provide fodder for the livestock
play a vital role in the socio-economic upliftment of the agrarian
population of the country
Status of utilization and availability varies with the agro-climatic
conditions of the state, livestock population etc.
Least concerned when compared to other crop species like cereals
Some forage crop species are underutilized in one region or the
other…
Besides providing fodder for the livestock, they are important in
terms of
•Gene pool for the improvement of some related major crops
•Augment major crop genetic resources
•Ecological significance
•Social and cultural aspects
•Monetary terms
•…..

3. As per 20
th
livestock census
- Country with largest livestock population in the world
- 535.78 million livestock population
192.49 million of cattle
109.85 million buffaloes,
148.88 million goats and
74.26 million sheep population
- increase of 4.6 per cent in the livestock population in the
country, compared with previous census

4. oFodder requirement
- 883.95 Mt green fodder and 583.66 Mt dry fodder
oFodder production:
- 664.73 Mt green fodder and 355.93 Mt dry fodder
oExisting gap:
- 218.22 Mt green fodder and 227.73 Mt dry fodder
oLand allocation to green fodder production:
- less than 5% of gross cropped area
- least scope of land diversion to fodder crops
- feed requirement from crop residues (54%)
oFodder from weeds in cultivated fields, grasses from forest lands
and common property resources….
oConcentrate feeding….
oFortification of fodders, mineral mixtures and silage making….
oSedentary, semi-sedentary and migratory livestock rearing
systems…
oAs per NDDB, animal productivity of the country is very low as
compared to developed countries.

5. Total livestock population in J&K, HP and UK in 2012 was 92.00,
48.44 and 47.94 lakh i,e 3.67 % of the country (512057301)
Acute shortage of fodder especially green nutritious fodder is the
major cause of low livestock productivity
Forage cultivation is restricted to only about one per cent of the
cultivated area in the entire Himalayan region, (4 % in Jammu and
Kashmir)
The total fodder production of Jammu and Kashmir is 86.5 lakh
tones of which green fodder contributes 61.4 lakh tones and dry
fodder 25.1 lakh tones.
In J&K deficit in green and dry fodder is 67% and 27.31% ,
respectively
In Himachal Pradesh the deficit of annual requirement of green
and dry fodder is 54 and 34 percent, respectively.
Concern:
Decreasing trend in area of grasslands and pasturelands
because of encroachment, conversions, developmental
projects and other factors…

6. oSustainable fodder production
Meeting our fodder requirement without compromising the ability
for current or future generations to meet their needs
oChallenges
•Resource deficit-land, labor and capital
•Forage crop genetic resources present/ cultivated
•Human and livestock population pressure
•Increased demand of livestock products
•Food security for all
oProgressive sustainable fodder production
Sustainable fodder production with increased productivity from
the different components-forage crops, livestock, farming
system- to meet the present demands and the challenging
deficits of future.

7. ◦Oats (Avena sativa)
The average green fodder yield from single, double and multi-cut varieties of oat
ranges from 30-45, 40-55 and 45-60 tonnes/ha respectively.
If crop is left for seed, 25 tonnes/ha green fodder from first cut and 2.0-2.5
tonnes/ha seed and 2.5-3.0 tonnes/ha straw is obtained.
◦Maize (Zea mays)
Maize in India ranks fifth in total area and third in total production and
productivity.
Fodder yield of 500q/ha/season
◦Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum )
It provides fodder with high tonnage over a long period from November to May
in 5 - 6 cuts.
It has 20-24% crude protein and 70% dry matter digestibility.
A good berseem crop can give 100-120 tonnes/ ha green fodder and 15-20
tonnes/ha dry fodder.
◦Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata )
It is of considerable importance in dryland farming.

8. Legumes
◦Red clover (Trifolium pratense)
◦White clover (Trifolium repens)
◦Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
◦Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia)
◦Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum)
◦Bird’s foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)
◦Crown vetch (Coronilla varia)
◦Hairy Vetch (Vicia villosa)
Grasses
◦Rye grass (Lolium multiflorum)
◦Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium perenne)
◦Tall fescue (Festuca arundinaceae)
◦Red fescue (Festuca rubra)
◦Orchard grass (Dactylis glomerata)
◦Phalaris (Phalaris stenoptera)
◦Brome grass (Bromus unioloides)
◦Timothy (Phelium pratense)
……& many more are the UNDERUTILIZED forage crop genetic resources.

9. Herbaceous, short-lived temperate perennial legume, thrives well for
2-4 years, variable in size, growing to 20–80 cm tall.
It has a deep taproot, upto 1m, with secondary adventitious roots
upto 30 cm, which makes drought tolerant and checks soil erosion.
Fodder harvesting is done at the early-flowering stage for better
quality, with crude protein of upto 25 per cent and more quantity.
Two to three cuts/year are possible provided that the sward received
enough fertilizers (P, K).
Red clover seed can be planted in autumn or early spring.
Being an N-fixing legume, it can be used as green manure also and it
can provide about 4.2 t DM/ha and 93 kg N/ha to the soil.
When used in orchard floor management,
it smothers spring weeds and improves
soil tilth, besides having beneficial effect
on the fruit trees.

10. Herbaceous perennial legume 10-40 cm long, moderately drought
tolerant
Leaves are petiolated and trifoliate but they can vary widely in form
and size, depending on cultivar or type, while as the leaflets are
ovate, broad, solid dull green.
Grown alone or in mixed stands with grasses, in rainfed or irrigated
stands.
A valuable fodder that is readily eaten and has a high nutritive value
with crude protein (20-25 %), but causes bloating if fed >25%
It can be grown on a wide range of soils but does better on clay or
loam soils than on sandy soils.
Fodder productivity sown in pure stands yields 12 -15 t DM/ha under
irrigated conditions
and upto 10 t DM/ha under rain fed.
The species also has a capacity to
fix upto 400 kg N/ha/year.

11. In Old French the translation of sainfoin is “healthy hay”.
Grows upto 1m ht, productivity of 14-16 t DM ha
-1
It is a forage legume adapted to similar regions and uses as alfalfa,
however its main advantage is its bloat-free characteristic.
Sainfoin is best adapted to well-drained, calcareous soils.
A drought tolerant species with deep taproot with a few main
branches and numerous fine lateral roots form the root system.
Condensed tannins have anthelmintic properties, increase protein
utilization and prevent bloating; they may also have the potential to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Positive effects on wildlife and honey
production could also be advantageous
in the context of sustainable farming.
Good palatability
Sainfoin is a nutritious legume but
underutilized…

12. It is cultivated as a temperate species, winter annual, sown in autumn
and provides forage during the spring season.
It can be grown as summer forage also.
Locally known as shaftal in Kashmir, it is an erect decumbent or
prostrate, coarse herbaceous legume branching from the base and
reaches upto height of 30-100 cm. it has pink mauve, sweet smelling
flowers, ovoid pods and pale brown seeds.
Prominent varieties are SH-48 and SH-69
The nutritive value of the dry matter produced from the above ground
parts including the leaves and tender stem is crude protein 21.5%,
crude fibre 16.9%, total ash content 17.7 %, ether extract 1.9% and
Nitrogen free extract of 42%.

13. Low-growing legume vine, with deep, tenacious, complex root
system and thick, fern-like leaves provide excellent erosion control..
It consists of 21.7% crude protein and 22.2% crude fibre
In an experiment involving the digestibility of crown vetch in sheep, it
was found that the crude protein is 65.6% and the crude fibre is 46.2%
digestible which is similar, but slightly less than the digestibility of
alfalfa forage.
A rainfed crop has the potential to yield 200 quintals/hectare green
fodder

14. It is a perennial forage crop that can
grow upto 1.6 m wit upright stem.
Deep tap root up to 100 cm is present.
It is a highly palatable legume and is
valued for its high nutritional quality and
is an excellent source of essential
vitamins, minerals and amino acids with
wide adaptability.
Lucerne is an excellent fodder legume
with around 20-24 percent crude protein
and 30 percent crude fibre.
Green herbage productivity varies from
953 to 1243 quintal/ha.
 Lucerne is usually fed as green forage to
the livestock and even protein rich
concentrates are made from it for lean
season

15. A tufted annual or short-lived perennial grass with feather-like seed
heads, which lack awns, and is commonly found in lawns.
Being one of the most commonly sown grasses for forage, turf, and
erosion control, it has been introduced all over the world.
It grows to 100 cm tall and is erect or spreading
The entire plant is smooth and hairless.
There are numerous long, narrow, stiff leaves near the base of the
plant.
Lolium has a wide range of adaptability to soils, but thrive best on dark
rich soils in regions having mild climates.
A fine, firm seedbed gives the best grassland establishment.
Ryegrass responds well to good management, such as intensive
rotational grazing and fertilizer applications.
A valuable forage and soil stabilization plant
Crude protein of fresh vegetative parts: 19%

16. A robust perennial, comparatively deep rooted, bunchgrass.
Adapted to cool and humid climates & moist soils with a pH 5.5-7.
Grows fairly well on soils low in fertility, but it is better adapted to
fertile conditions.
Tall fescue is easy to establish due to its rapid germination and good
seedling vigor.
Propagated through seeds and rooted slips
Temperate cultivars of tall fescue are highly productive with greatest
growth over spring and early summer (40–60 kg dry matter/ha/day).
Tall fescue has a high nutritive value
comparing favorably to perennial
ryegrass, Phalaris and cocksfoot,
with higher digestibility

17. One of the most important forage grasses in
the world owing to its high productivity and
disease resistance under varying climatic
conditions.
It is used for pasture, hay and silage.
The main advantage of cocksfoot is greater
forage production during summer compared
to other forage grasses; it stays green after
most prairie grasses have dried.
Strongly tufted, deep-rooted, long-lived
perennial grass reaching a height of 80-130
cm
D. glomerata is used for hay or silage
production and grazing worldwide
The green fodder yield of 22.32 t/ha and dry
fodder yield of 7.39 t/ha in cocksfoot was
obtained in an apple based hortipastoral
system under temperate conditions of
Kashmir.

18. It is also known as white crested grass,
referring to the appearance of the seed head.
It is a cross between Phalaris arundinaceae
and Phalaris tuberose.
It is palatable to animals, high nutrient hay or
silage.
It should preferably be cut before reaching
the heading stage as the green fodder turns
harder, which is not proffered by the animals.

It is triploid in nature and cannot be
propagated through seed.
It is propagated through rooted-slips, which
should be transplanted in rows 40m apart in
March-April or November-December.
About 60,000slips required per hectare.
Accession GFY (Kg/m
2
)
IGFRIRS-Phalaris-2 7.50
1

IGFRIRS-Phalaris-5 7.15
2

IGFRIRS-Phalaris-4 6.12
3

IGFRIRS-Phalaris-1 5.35
4

IGFRIRS-Phalaris-3 5.05
5

IGFRIRS-Phalaris-6 4.98
6

Trial mean 6.02
CD
0.05 0.25

19. Seeds of temperate forage crop genetic resourcesSeeds of temperate forage crop genetic resources

20. Evaluation of different temperate forage cropsEvaluation of different temperate forage crops
Crop Plant height at 50%
flowering (cm)
Leaf/ stem ratio Fresh fodder
yield (Kg/m
2
)
Dry fodder yield
(Kg/m
2
)
Crude protein (%)
Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range
Tall fescue 110.79 82.67-144.48 1.17 1.10-1.38 7.34 6.34-7.78 1.34 0.93-1.39  12.298.90-14.50
Orchard grass 109.33 90.04-138.48 1.27 1.17-1.34 6.42 5.92-6.95 1.14 1.10-1.42  13.049.50-14.25
Harding grass 130.16 115.32-
138.42
1.48 1.38-01.57 6.02 4.98-7.50 1.32 1.13-1.63
 13.159.3-14.90
Timothy grass 89.53 68.54-102.63 0.76 0.77-1.76 4.87 3.53-5.67 0.98 0.64-1.45  12.039.15-13.80
Perennial rye
grass
84.02 57.20-112.34 1.15 0.79-1.72 3.79 2.75-4.71 0.78 0.56-1.04
 12.5910.02-14.01
White clover 58.83 40.00- 77.25 - - 2.19 1.43-2.96 0.85 0.78-0.95  21.3620.15-22.3
Red clover 53.9 37.32- 73.32 - - 4.80 3.26-5.91 1.14 0.85-1.33  22.0220.9-23.08
Sainfoin 63.78 40.41-88.21 - - 4.09 3.29-5.63 1.17 0.95-1.86  23.8721.08-24.05
Evaluation of the different collections is
done through different station trials at
our experimental farm.

21. Crop CP % EE % CF % TA % NFE %
Sorghum7.75 1.73 32.36 8.55 49.61
Maize 6.74 2.09 35.95 8.15 47.07
Bajra 6.5 3.2 35.8 14.4 40.1
Oats 9.5 1.8 35.7 8.9 47.9
Cow pea15.77 2.39 20.11 16.94 30.43
Rice bean16.9 1.9 30.6 7.8 43.8
Berseem14.4 1.57 30.09 11.9 40.34
Alfa alfa19.9 1.81 29.51 34.68 14.10
(Mukherjee and Maiti, 2008)

22. Intensive irrigated systems
Intensive cropping system with increased forage yield from
irrigated lands
Multiple cropping
Growing 3-4 appropriate annual forage crops as sole crops in mixed
stands in a year (Grass-legume-grass-legume)
Year-round forage production through combination of perennial
and annual forages
Overlapping cropping systems for maximizing green Forage
availability throughout the year.
Association of perennial grass and legume components
Crops when grown together in certain feasible geometry, spacing,
planting pattern to facilitate farm operations
Agroforestry systems
Trees, agricultural crops and livestock on the same piece of land and
involve spatial and temporal interaction.
Horti-pasture system, agri-silvi-pasture system etc

23. Intensive irrigated systems
Intensive cropping system with increased forage yield from
irrigated lands
Multiple cropping
Growing 3-4 appropriate annual forage crops as sole crops in mixed
stands in a year (Grass-legume-grass-legume)
Year-round forage production through combination of perennial
and annual forages
Overlapping cropping systems for maximizing green Forage
availability throughout the year.
Association of perennial grass and legume components
Crops when grown together in certain feasible geometry, spacing,
planting pattern to facilitate farm operations
Agroforestry systems
Trees, agricultural crops and livestock on the same piece of land and
involve spatial and temporal interaction.
Horti-pasture system, agri-silvi-pasture system etc

28. Productive benefits:
◦fodder, N-fixing, medicinal and aromatic properties
Environmental benefits:
◦soil and water conservation, carbon sequestration and mitigation of climate
change, phytoremediation.
◦Rehabilitation of degraded areas from mining, industries, deforestation
◦grass-legume mixtures can also reduce nitrate leaching and check pollution.
Recreational benefits:
◦tourism
◦Eco-tourism
Socio-economic benefits:
◦support livelihood and socioeconomic base of all those associated with
livestock and other related sectors.
Biodiversity and wildlife:
◦good habitat for different animals
◦support different food chains and webs.
◦the cheapest form of in-situ conservation of different FCGRs.
◦important resource for the genetic improvement of different major and minor
crops,
Benefits from FCGRsBenefits from FCGRs

29. 1.Conservation and management of FCGRs is required.
2.FCGR Germplasm exchange and Improvement is the need of the hour.
3.Quality seed production and availability of FCGRs has to be ensured.
4.Involve the locals and end-users through Participatory management
5.Grazing management and fodder collection must be regulated.
6.Improve the condition of rangelands and grasslands
7.Threats to FCGRs leading to their genetic erosion must be checked.
◦Conversion of grasslands and pastures to commercial agriculture,
◦mismanagement and degradation of grasslands and pastures,
◦consideration of FCGRs as orphan crops,
◦the small number of species and cultivars under selection, use, maintenance and
improvement.
8.Research and education regarding FCGRs must be taken up.
9.Extension programs and demonstrations regarding forage crops are required.
10.Inter-institutional collaborations is important.
11.Encourage mixed farming.(mixed farming )

30. 1.Reservoirs of local knowledge about FCGRs…
2.Planning for in-situ as well as ex-situ conservation of forage crop genetic
resources through different approaches…
3.They conserve the wild relatives of major crops in-situ and the same can be
used in different crop improvement programs…
4.Grazing management and regeneration…
5.Conducting scientific germplasm explorations in unexplored areas…
6.Pasture/grassland improvement cannot be achieved without the support of
their local guardians…
7.Their role in execution of different plans and programs of different line
departments…

31. Forage Crop Genetic Resources (FCGRs):
◦animal production systems,
◦poverty alleviation and food security
◦environmental significance and biodiversity conservation
Increased productivity from sustainable to Progressive sustainable fodder
production system through horizontal and vertical improvement interventions
Enhance the production & availability of green fodder through various technological
interventions from the existing land under fodder cultivation & pastures.
Scientifically organized grassland restoration
Grazing management: continuous grazing, deferred grazing, rotational grazing and
deferred rotational grazing
Threat due to genetic erosion and narrowing of genetic base need to be addressed
at the earliest.
Role of local guardians in forage crop germplasm Conservation, explorations and
Inventorisation has to be understood
Germplasm:
◦Broadening of their genetic base
◦improvement programs and development of high yielding varieties
◦exchange at national and international levels
Inter-institutional collaboration in sharing of germplasm and knowledge is required