| Scientific name | Sesbania grandiflora |
|---|---|
| Important features | This tree grows throughout the year even in less fertile and saline soils, is drought resistant, and suitable for all livestock, but highly preferred by small ruminants. It is fast growing. It must constitute only 8-10% of the feed. Its protein content is about 25%. |
| Varieties | Local selection. |
| When and how to plant | Though preferably planted in June- August, it also grows throughout the year under irrigated conditions. About 7.5-8.0 kg seed/ha is planted either at 1 m distance or at 1m × 1m spacing. It can also be transplanted with nursery raised seedlings. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | 10 kg N:20 kg P:12.5 kg K at planting to be followed with 12.5 kg P every two years. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | 20-25 t before planting. |
| Irrigation | At planting and every 15 days depending on soil moisture. |
| When to harvest | First cutting at 5-6 months and subsequent cutting after 50-60 days. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | 50-60 t annually. |
| Scientific name | Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) De Wit |
|---|---|
| Important features | This is a fast spreading fodder tree that produces enormous seeds. In drought prone areas, allow the tree to grow for two years to ensure deep root penetration before commencing harvest. Since the leaves contain the toxin mimosine, care must be taken while feeding it to young animals. |
| Varieties | Hawaiian type (K-341), K-8 (Salvador type), Subabul CO-1 (P), FD 1423. |
| When and how to plant | Planting is preferred in June-August. About 5-6 kg seeds/ha soaked in hot water overnight should be planted with rhizobium culture at 1m × 1m spacing. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | 25 kg N:60 kg P:40 kg K. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | 8-10 t mixed in soil before planting. |
| Irrigation | Mostly rainfed, every 15-20 days depending on soil moisture. |
| When to harvest | 5-6 months (90-100 cms) and subsequent cuttings after 50-60 days. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | The initial year yields 12-15 t and later 40-50 t annually. |
| Scientific name | Glyricidia sepium |
|---|---|
| Important features | It is a small, semi-deciduous tree with a pale bark that tolerates a wide range of climatic and edaphic conditions and can grow in regions with annual rainfall of 400-900 mm. It grows in heavy clay soils and on rocky eroded sites and is intolerant to waterlogging. The plant is used as fuel wood, animal feed, green manure, etc. |
| Varieties | Local selection. |
| Planting | Planting is preferred in June-August. Soak 2 kg seed/ha in water before planting. Stem cuttings 1 foot long may be planted at 1m × 1m spacing during the rainy season. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | 30 kg P:20 kg K. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | 1-2 t. |
| Irrigation | Mostly rainfed, every 15-20 days depending on soil moisture. |
| When to harvest | 12-18 months at first cutting followed by an interval of 3 months. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | 20-25 kg from each tree depending on its age. |
| Scientific name | Moringa oleifera |
|---|---|
| Important features | It is mainly used as a vegetable and has numerous industrial, medicinal and agricultural uses, including as animal feed. It is nutritious, fast growing, drought tolerant and with protein content ranging from 15-30% on dry matter basis at different stages of maturity. |
| Varieties | Local selection. |
| When and How To Plant | Preferably planted in June-August. About 250-400 g/ha of 50-60-day seedlings planted in 30-50 cm deep and 20-40 cm wide pits. |
| Chemical fertilizer (kg/ha) | 50 kg N: 25 kg P. |
| Farm Yard Manure (tons/ha) | 18-22 t. |
| Irrigation | Every 12-15 days depending on soil moisture. |
| When to harvest | Harvested in 5-6 months for its leaves and in 8-9 months for its pods. Subsequent cuttings every 45 days at 1.5 m height. |
| Green fodder yield (tons/ha) | Leaves: 6-8 t annually. |