| Scientific name | Zea mays L. |
|---|---|
| Important features | Suitable for integration with other crops, this short-duration crop can be grown during kharif, rabi and zaid. The milk to early dough stage is preferred for higher yield and protein content. |
| Varieties | African Tall, APFM-8, Pratap Makka Chari 6, Ganga-4, J-1006. |
| When and how to plant | This is ideally planted during June-July, September-October or February-March, 40-50 kg seed/ha at 5 cm depth with 60 cm row to row spacing and 10 cm spacing between crops. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | 15-30 kg Nitrogen (N): 40-60 kg Phosphorus (P): 40 kg Potassium (K) and 20 kg Zinc sulphate before planting and 60-90 kg N when the crop is 50-60 cm tall. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | 15.0 t applied a month before planting. |
| Irrigation | Every 15-20 days in the rainy season and every 10-12 days in the summer. |
| When to harvest | Milky stage (60-75 days); 10 more days for silage making. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | Irrigated: 40-50 t; rainfed: 30-40 t. |
| Scientific name | Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench |
|---|---|
| Important features | It is drought resistant, can grow well under less fertile soils, with quick growth, high biomass accumulation and dry matter content, and the crop contains toxin hydrogen cyanide (HCN) till 45-50 days. |
| Varieties | Single cut: Pusa Chari-1, Pusa Chari-6, MP Chari, UP Chari-1. Multi-cut: CoFS 29, CoFS 31, Pusa Chari-615. Dual purpose: SPV 669, K-11; SSG 988, CSH 24 MF. |
| When and how to plant | This is planted in March or July, single cut at 10 kg seed/ha and multi-cut at 10-15 kg seed/ha. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | Single cut: 80 kg N:40 kg P Multi-cut: 100 kg N:60 kg P during planting and repeat after 30 days and 50 kg N after every cutting. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | Irrigated: 25.0 t. Rainfed: 10 t 20-25 days before planting. |
| Irrigation | Every 25-30 days in the rainy season and every 10-15 days in the summer and not required in the case of good rains. |
| When to harvest | Single cut: Flowering stage (60-75 days) Multi-cut: First cutting after 50-55 days and subsequent cutting after 40-45 days. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | Single cut: 35-40 t Multi-cut: 100-150 t |
| Scientific name | Pennisetum glaucum L. |
|---|---|
| Important features | Grows in low fertile and water deficit soils, is highly drought tolerant and gives assured harvest even in areas with 25-75 cm rainfall. |
| Varieties | Avika Bajra Chari (AVKB - 19), Gaint Bajra, CO-8, Baif Bajra-1. |
| When and how to plant | Planted in March-April/July/October- November with the onset of monsoon in rainfed areas at 6-8 kg seed/ha with 30-45 cm spacing between rows. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | Irrigated: 100 kg N:60 kg P:40 kg K. Rainfed: 60 kg N:40 kg P:20 kg K. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | Irrigated: 10-12 t. Rainfed: 5-6 t 15-21 days before planting. |
| Irrigation | the case of good rainsEvery 8-12 days under irrigated conditions. |
| When to harvest | Single cut varieties: 50-60 days. Multi-cut varieties: First cutting at 40-45 days and subsequently after 30 days. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | Irrigated: 35-40 t. Rainfed: 25-30 t. |
| Scientific name | Avena sativa L. |
|---|---|
| Important features | An important cereal fodder crop of the rabi season, it is soft and palatable, with fodder rich in crude protein (10-12%). Its grain is a good source of feed for horses, sheep and poultry due to its high fat, protein and mineral content. |
| Varieties | Single cut: HFO-114, JHO-2001-3, JHO-2000-4, OS-377. Double cut: JHO-851, JHO-822, HO-8, UPO-212, UPO-94, RO-19. |
| When and how to plant | Planted in October or November at 80-100 kg seed/ha at 20-30 cm row spacing. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | Single cut: 80 kg N:60 kg P:40 kg K. Double cut: 120 kg N:40 kg K. Top-dressing in double cut varieties after each cutting: 40 kg N. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | 12-15 t 10-15 days before planting. |
| Irrigation | 3-5 irrigations including pre-planting irrigation depending on soil type. If the soil is dry, first irrigation is given before preparing the seedbed. The next irrigation may be given 20-25 days after planting. |
| When to harvest | Single cut varieties: At 50% flowering Double-cut varieties: First cutting at 60-70 days; subsequently after 40-45 days. First cut is advised when the plant is 10-12 cm tall for good re- growth. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | Single cut: 30-45 t. Double cut: 40-55 t. |