kalar grass
.
About
Kalar grass:
It is a perennial type of fodder having multiple cuttings in barren and water logged lands. It gives very good yield on both white and black sodic soils. Where the ground water is saline, it also provides delicious and energy-rich fodder. Irrigating with sweet or salt water does not affect the yield. Once planted, it continues to produce for many years. Carbohydrates and proteins are found in abundance in it. It helps to maintain the balance of sodium and potassium in animals. It is cultivated like normal crops. It grows very well. It has the potential to produce 400 to 500 maund per acre in 4 to 5 cuttings annually and provides an excellent fodder for dairy animals. It contains enough amounts of Iron, Copper and Manganese that are sufficient for the daily diet of the animal. It can also be successfully cultivated in land with high PH. It also reclaims the disturbed wastelands. After cultivating Kalar grass for some time, other crops that have relatively low saline tolerance ability can be cultivated on these lands. It can also produce organic fertilizer.
Seeds
Climate:
A warm humid climate is suitable for its cultivation.
Seed Rate:
Although this fodder can also be cultivated with seeds, but it should be cultivated through stem cutting for better yield. It bears flowers all year round, but only flowers in October-November are pollinated. 675 kg of cuttings per hectare (273 kg of cuttings per acre) is enough to cultivate it.
Cultivation
Time and Method of Cultivation:
Although Kalar grass can be cultivated throughout the year, but the best time to cultivate is the month of March. Cultivation by cuttings is done from mid-February to mid-March. Remember that each cutting should have at least 2 or 3 buds. When planting the cuttings, bend to one side and make a 45-degree angle with the ground. One bud of the cutting should be inside the ground and the other outside. The distance between the rows should be one foot (30 cm) and the distance between the cuttings should be four inches (10 cm). Cultivation by roots should be done in July-August. Since it is cultivated in dry land, apply irrigation immediately after sowing. Keep the crop in a wet state until the plants grow and become stable, then give irrigation as per requirement. Since irrigation is required more for its growth, there is no damage even if the water remains standing in the crop. The crop should be re-cultivated every 4 or 5 years to get a good yield.
Diseases
Only the Kalar grass crop has been attacked by Aphid. To prevent this, spray suitable pesticide in consultation with the local staff of the Agriculture Department. All pesticides should be used at least 3 to 4 weeks before cutting fodder.
Pests
Weed Control
Irrigation
Fertilizers
Determine the amount of fertilizer on the basis of laboratory analysis of the soil, but use fertilizers for Kalar grass in the average fertile soil according to the following recommendations.
Amount of fertilizers (bags per acre) |
Nutrient intake (kg per acre) |
||
At the time of sowing |
NitrogenN |
PhosphorusB |
Potashk |
|
One bag DAP + Half bag Urea + Half bag SOP |
22 |
23 |
12.5 |
Note: Use one bag of urea after each cutting.
Harvesting
The crop is ready for first cutting about 90 days after sowing, while each subsequent cutting is ready after 50 to 60 days. When the height of the plant is 2 feet, flowers emerges out on it. This continues from April to September. From this, can take 4-5 cuttings in a year.
Yield:
With good care, green fodder from 400 to 500 maunds per acre can be obtained throughout the year.