Track 2‐6‐1: Developing Intensive and Extensive Forage Production with Environment Friendly Technologies and Adoption of Mechanization
Description
In India natural pastures do not meet the nutritional needs of grazing ruminants, and supplementary feeding of crop residues and concentrates is necessary for profitable animal production (Phaikaew et al., 2004). Stylo has a long history of research and development in India and has been used in many production systems including as a fodder crop, in ley farming and intercropping in agroforestry and silvipasture and for wasteland development and soil conservation (Ramesh et al., 1997).
Recent developments in the commercial utilization of stylo as a fodder crop have mostly been in the peninsular Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. Stylosanthes species have made a significant contribution to animal nutrition in the tropics and subtropics. As a component of animal rations stylo can contribute to alleviate the significant shortage of green and dry fodder in India and generate income for smallholder farmers.
Relatively recent introduction of new improved germplasm including S. seabrana has shown a great promise for diverse agro-climatic zones. Among its different species, S. seabrana possesses high seedling vigour, high nutritional value and better adaptation under rainfed situations in heavy cracking clay soil types. The excellent adaptation of highly productive S. seabrana to a wide range of environments in India without the need to apply specific Bradyrhizobium is expected to further enhance its use (Ramesh et al., 2004).
Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of Verano and CIAT 184 as cut-and-carry fodders for animals. Studies on dry matter production under different environments and cutting regimes have been used to develop optimum cutting management techniques to maximize fodder yield of these cultivars. It has also been indicated that S. seabrana gives enhanced yield in second and consecutive years as compared to the first year (Phaikaew et al., 2004). This study was carried out to find the cutting regime which would give the optimum fodder quantity and quality in S. seabrana.
Included in
Effect of Cutting Intervals on Yield and Nutritive Value of Stylosanthes seabrana
In India natural pastures do not meet the nutritional needs of grazing ruminants, and supplementary feeding of crop residues and concentrates is necessary for profitable animal production (Phaikaew et al., 2004). Stylo has a long history of research and development in India and has been used in many production systems including as a fodder crop, in ley farming and intercropping in agroforestry and silvipasture and for wasteland development and soil conservation (Ramesh et al., 1997).
Recent developments in the commercial utilization of stylo as a fodder crop have mostly been in the peninsular Indian states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala. Stylosanthes species have made a significant contribution to animal nutrition in the tropics and subtropics. As a component of animal rations stylo can contribute to alleviate the significant shortage of green and dry fodder in India and generate income for smallholder farmers.
Relatively recent introduction of new improved germplasm including S. seabrana has shown a great promise for diverse agro-climatic zones. Among its different species, S. seabrana possesses high seedling vigour, high nutritional value and better adaptation under rainfed situations in heavy cracking clay soil types. The excellent adaptation of highly productive S. seabrana to a wide range of environments in India without the need to apply specific Bradyrhizobium is expected to further enhance its use (Ramesh et al., 2004).
Several studies have demonstrated the usefulness of Verano and CIAT 184 as cut-and-carry fodders for animals. Studies on dry matter production under different environments and cutting regimes have been used to develop optimum cutting management techniques to maximize fodder yield of these cultivars. It has also been indicated that S. seabrana gives enhanced yield in second and consecutive years as compared to the first year (Phaikaew et al., 2004). This study was carried out to find the cutting regime which would give the optimum fodder quantity and quality in S. seabrana.
