Crop Production :: Forage Crops :: Fodder Cumbu

Season and Varieties

Season : Irrigated : Throughout the year

Variety : CO 8

Particulars of Fodder Cumbu Varieties

PARTICULARS	CO 8
Parentage	Derivative of 732 A x Sweet Giant Bajra
Duration (Days)	45-50 days
Average green fodder yeld (t/ha)	25 - 30
Morphological characters
Plant height (cm)	180 -190
Number of tillers	6 - 8
Number of leaves	8 - 10
Leaf length (cm)	60 - 70
Leaf breadth (cm)	2.5 - 3.0
Leaf stem ratio	0.54
Quality characters
Protein content (%)	13.9
Dry matter (%)	18.2
Sugar (%)	9.9

1.  SOIL

      All types of soils with good drainage.

2.  PREPARATORY CULTIVATION

      Plough with an iron plough once and with a country plough twice.

3. SEED TREATMENT

• Removal of ergot affected seeds and sclerotic if any by soaking in 20% salt solution (2.5 kg of common salt in 12.5 litres of water).
• Seed treatment with fungicides 24 hours prior to sowing.

4. MANURING

• Basal application : FYM: 25 t/ha; NPK: 25:20:12 kg/ha.
• Top dressing :  25 kg N/ha on 30 DAS
• Application of Azospirillum (2000g) and phosphobacterium (2000g) or Azophos (4000g) along with 75% of recommended dose of N and P fertilizers enhanced the yield besides saving of 25% of fertilizer dose.

 5. SEED RATE

      10 kg/ha.

6. SPACING

      25 x 10 cm.

7. AFTER CULTIVATION

      First hoeing and weeding on 30th day after sowing.

8. IRRIGATION

      Once in 10 days

9. PLANT PROTECTION

      Generally not recommended

10. HARVEST

      Harvest at boot leaf stage, 40 - 45 days after sowing.

11. GREEN FODDER YIELD

      25-30 t/ha

Note:  CO 8 fodder cumbu can be intercropped with CO 5 or COFC 8 cowpea that can be harvested together to provide a nutritious fodder to cattle.