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    Alfalfa POP

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    bcxbioorganics
    Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial plant cultivated as a forage crop. It grows well in deep, fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Alfalfa has trifoliate leaves and clusters of small purple, yellow, or blue flowers. It is highly nutritious, fixes nitrogen in the soil, and has an extensive root system that improves soil quality and provides erosion control. Alfalfa is typically planted in spring or summer and requires irrigation after sowing and then every 10 days.

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    Alfalfa POP

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    bcxbioorganics
    54 views4 pages
    Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial plant cultivated as a forage crop. It grows well in deep, fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Alfalfa has trifoliate leaves and clusters of small purple, yellow, or blue flowers. It is highly nutritious, fixes nitrogen in the soil, and has an extensive root system that improves soil quality and provides erosion control. Alfalfa is typically planted in spring or summer and requires irrigation after sowing and then every 10 days.

    Original Description:

    METHOD OF PROPAGATION

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    Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial plant cultivated as a forage crop. It grows well in deep, fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Alfalfa has trifoliate leaves and clusters of small purple, yellow, or blue flowers. It is highly nutritious, fixes nitrogen in the soil, and has an extensive root system that improves soil quality and provides erosion control. Alfalfa is typically planted in spring or summer and requires irrigation after sowing and then every 10 days.

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    54 views4 pages

    Alfalfa POP

    Uploaded by

    bcxbioorganics
    Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial plant cultivated as a forage crop. It grows well in deep, fertile, well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Alfalfa has trifoliate leaves and clusters of small purple, yellow, or blue flowers. It is highly nutritious, fixes nitrogen in the soil, and has an extensive root system that improves soil quality and provides erosion control. Alfalfa is typically planted in spring or summer and requires irrigation after sowing and then every 10 days.

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    Alfalfa

    (Lucerne)

    Scientific name : Medicago sativa


    Family : Leguminosae
    Varieties : Sand Lucerne, GM alfalfa

    Alfalfa is an incredible plant commonly grown for feeding livestock or a cover crop and soil
    conditioner. It is highly nutritious and a natural source of nitrogen. It is ideal for improving
    the soil and providing erosion control. Alfalfa’s extensive root system nourishes both plants
    and soil. The alfalfa plant has been cultivated for generations, and growing alfalfa in your
    garden is easy. 

    Plant features:
    Life-Cycle : perennial
    Height : 1-3 feet
    Width/Spread : 2-3 feet
    Flowering season : May-July   
    Flower : The flowers resemble clovers, with clusters of small
    purple/yellow/blue flowers.
    Foliage : The leaves of the plant are made up of three individual leaflets
    (trifoliate) which are narrow and oval or oblong in shape with
    a smooth upper surface and slightly hairy lower surface. 

    Season of planting:
    Throughout the year under irrigated conditions. Not suitable for hot and humid areas. Spring
    to summer.

    Soil:
    Well drained and deep fertile black cotton soil with a PH between 6.0 – 7.0.
    It has a deep root system and quickly depletes nutrients from the soil.
    Seed Rate:
    15 kgs/ha or 6-7 kgs/acre.

    Propagation:
    Basic requirement - alfalfa is adapted to grow in various environments, but it requires careful
    management. It grows best in deep, fertile, well-draining soils with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
    Alfalfa has a deep and vigorous root system and quickly depletes nutrients from the ground.
    It grows in soil that is poor in nutrients; the crop may require the addition of ample amounts
    of fertilizer. The vigorous root system means that alfalfa can tolerate dry periods and still
    give a good yield. It should well prepare seeding soil before plant alfalfa seeds. 
    A firm seedbed recommends improving the growth by improving seed contact with the soil.
    This helps seeds retain moisture and prevents new roots from drying out. It can firm the soil
    before planting by using a roller. The seedbed should also be free of weeds and kept moist. It
    should sow Alfalfa fields 5 cm (2 inches) deep in rows spaced 45 to 60 cm (18 to 24 inches)
    apart. Seeds should be water immediately, and the bed kept moist while the seedlings come
    out.

    General care and maintenance:


    The alfalfa stand should be kept free from weeds. The easiest way to achieve a weed-free
    crop when grown on a commercial scale is using a pre-plant herbicide.  
    There are several products available for use on alfalfa. You should apply fertilizer following
    soil test results. Lime, phosphorus, and potash are the essential nutrients for a healthy alfalfa
    stand. Alfalfa is harvested at different times depending on its intended use. Alfalfa which is
    cut between the late bud and early bloom stage gives acceptable yields of high-quality feed
    without reducing the quality of the stand. In contrast, the repeated harvest of alfalfa which is
    still in the vegetative stage of growth leads to a reduced perspective.  

    Pests and Diseases:


    Diseases like bacterial wilt, downy mildew, common leaf spot. which can turn leaflets into
    yellow and decaying roots in established plants leading to the death of the plants. 
    Pests like aphids, whiteflies and alfalfa caterpillars encourage the growth of sooty mold on
    plants.

    Irrigation:
    Immediately after sowing and life irrigation on 3rd day. Then once in 10 days depending on
    soil type and weather condition. Sprinklers can also be installed
    Weed Management:
    Hand weeding whenever necessary.

    Manures and Fertilisers:


    Per Hectare Per Acre
    FYM 25 tonnes 10 tonnes
    NPK 25: 120: 40 kg 10: 48: 16 kg
    Urea 55 kgs 22 kgs
    SSP 50 kgs 20 kgs

    Harvesting:
    The first harvest 60-65 days after sowing. Subsequent harvests are made at an interval of 20-
    25 days

    Yield:
    90-120 t/ha/year (in 12-14 harvests)
    35-45 t/acre (in 12-14 harvests)

    Cost of Production:
    Per Hectare Per Acre

    Seeds 6000/- 2400-2800/-

    NPK Fertiliser 20000/- 8000/-

    Potash 20000/- 8000/-

    FYM 50000/- 20000/-

    Pesticides 13000/- 5200/-

    Labour charges 20000/- 8000/-

    Sprinkler system 37500/- 15000/-

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