Lucerne animal fodder

Lucerne animal fodder

1. LUCERNE (Animal fodder) 1

2. Introduction Scientific name : Medicago sativa Common name : In Arab known as alfalfa In Europe called as Lucerne Belongs to Leguminosae family Origin : Introduced from the Mediterranean region It is called as “Queen of forage crops” WHILE “King of fodder crops” is berseem 2 Lucerne

3. General Characteristics Perennial forage Nitrogen-fixer Highly palatable Digestible and nutritious Lucerne probably the world’s best fodder Extremely  drought  tolerant Fast growing (can be cut after 30 days of 1 st cutting) Frost tolerant Susceptible to a range of pests and diseases Rabi fodder crop(sown in winter, October to November) 3

4. Morphological description : Long softly-hairy/serrated leaves (saw tooth) Leafy branches  Leaves dull Leaves are trifoliate, with obovate leaflets, 10-45 mm long and 3-10 mm broad.     Petiole up to 2 cm long Stipules minute 4

5. 5 Trifoliate Petiole

6. Plants – An erect 2-3 ft tall Multi-branched perennial plant with a very deep tap root Plants develop a woody crown at ground level Stems rising from the crown to around 1 m height.  Flowers – Flower blue but can purple or yellow Flowers are a typical pea shape 12 – 15 mm long Develop in dense clusters of 20 – 30 flowers at the tips of the branches 6

7. Distribution: 7 Alfalfa originated from the Mediterranean basin and southwest Asia (Iran, Afghanistan) and was one of the first forage crops to be domesticated Due to its variable genetic base , alfalfa has good adaptability to different environmental conditions. Optimal growth conditions are 25°C average day-temperatures and 600 to 1200 mm annual rainfall.  It grows best on deep, well-drained, sandy to fertile loamy soils, with 6.5-7.5 soil pH.   Deep loamy soils rich in phosphorus, calcium and potash are very good for Lucerne crop. It tolerates short spell of drought.

8. 8 ALFALFA Special quality of the roots

9. Sowing Sowing the seeds at proper time, rate and method increases the yield 1. Time of sowing : The optimum time of sowing of Lucerne is from 1st week , of October to middle of November However, middle of October is the best time for sowing Lucerne. 2. Seed rate: In case of broadcasting, 20-25 kg per hectare of seed should be sown while for line sowing 12-15 kg per hectare is sufficient. 3. Sowing method: Sowing of Lucerne can be done either by broadcast or by line sowing. 9

10. Flower Trifoliate Lucerne Field 10

11. Varieties: Vernal (cultivars) used in past a variety of a plant developed from a natural species and maintained under cultivation There are now more than 30 varieties of Lucerne available. These varieties have a wide range of pest and disease resistances and growth patterns Two types are used 1) Dormant (growth reduced in winter due to low temp/shorter days) 2) Non-dormant (grow through the winter, named as Winter active) M. falcata a wild variety of alfalfa that naturally hybridizes with M. sativa  to produce Sand Lucerne This species may bear either the purple flowers or yellow 11

12. Yield: Perennial forage and lasts for many years In Pakistan, (total production) 3978601 t/144984 h (2010)NARC On average ,in six cuts per year, Punjab 35-40t/h Sindh 15-20t/h NWFP 15-20t/h Balochistan 25-30t/h 12 First cut after 3 month of sowing.(March) Later cuts after interval of 5-6 weeks.

13. Top Producing Areas: The world wide production was around 500+ million tonnes in 2010 Produced in Punjab,Balochistan US, Canada, Argentina, Australia, South africa and in Middle east Upper Midwestern states account for about; 50% production in US 10% Northeastern 40%in Western states 13

14. (On DM basis) 14 CP 19% DM 23-35% Ca+ 1.3 g/Kg P+ 0.3g/Kg CHO 11% TDN 65.8% Ash 8% CF 29.6% Fat 8.5% NDF < 42% Minerals 8% Fiber 30%

15. Effect of cut number & harvesting conditions: 15

16. Alfalfa hay The high content of structural fiber in alfalfa hay fiber that is rapidly digested by rumen microbia is particularly valuable in ruminants because it enhances DM intake . Alfalfa fiber helps to prevent acidosis due to its intrinsic buffering effect and to the stimulation of ruminative chewing and salivation which results in rumen buffering. Alfalfa hay may be finely chopped, or coarse with long fiber. 16

17. Silage Silage is a good conservation method even in harsh conditions. Since alfalfa has a low carbohydrate content it has to be supplemented with carbon sources, such as ground cereal grains like wheat or barley , and inoculated to start fermentation. Alfalfa silages can be made using fresh alfalfa or pre-wilted alfalfa. The crop should be at 50-70 % moisture before ensiling to prevent nutrient leaching 17

18. Nutritional Properties 18 The sun-dried hay of alfalfa (also known as Lucerne) has been found to be a source of vitamin D.

19. Uses/applications: As a multi-purpose fodder;   As a high quality fodder Palatable fodder Lucerne meal is used for livestock and poultry As an ornamental Windbreak Fuel-wood Biogas 19

20. Health Benefits : 20

21. Precautions/ Side Effects/ Warnings 21

22. Side effects Saponins Phytoestrogens 22

23. Cont…. 23

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