PRODUCTION TECHNOLOGY OF

Sorghum Pearl millet Persian clover

Sorghum (Jowar)

Sorghum is an important drought resistant “Kharif” fodder crop in Pakistan.

 It is grown on an area of 0.3902 million hectares.

production 17.559 million tones contains 12% protein, 70%

carbohydrates, minerals, nitrogen free extract and crude fat.

Climate Basically it is tropical plant Also adapted temperate zone Cultivated in semiarid regions In rain fed areas cultivated for

grain In irrigated areas planted for

fodder

Soil Except saline and waterlogged soil it is

cultivated in all types of soil Heavy,loamy soil is more suitable

Seedbed preparation

Requires a good seed bed 1 Ploughing with Moldboard plough 2 ploughings with Cultivar along with Planking

Manuring 2 ½ Bags of DAP/hec 1 ¼ Bags of Urea/hec at planting 1 ¼ Bags of Urea at first irrigation

Seed rate 75-80 kg /ha for fodder 20-25 kg/ha for grain

Sowing methods Broadcasting Pora method gives better return with line

spacing 30cm. Seed crops sown in rows spaced 60cm

apart.

Sowing time In Punjab March-August for fodder June-July for Grain In Sindh In June for fodder & grain In KPK June and July In Bolichistan July and August

Interculturing & Weeding No interculturing required If grain crops are planted in rows, they should

be given one hoeing.

Irrigation 3-4 irrigations for March-June crop 1-2 irrigations for Monsoon crop

depending upon the rainfall

Pearl millet (Bajra)

Kharif season crop Finger millet Pollinated crop It contains 69% carbohydrates 11%

protien 5% fats. Originated from Africa Use as fodder ,flour,alcohlic beverages

Season & sowing time Kharif season crop March-August for fodder June-July for seed production Mid of the July is best for time sowing

Climate Millet is a warm-weather crop Drought tolerant crop  It is extensively sown in the dry and arid

regions of Pakistan.

Land preparation 2-3 ploughing followed by Planking Cultivated on marginal land

Sowing methods Braodcasting Pora method (“Pora” method in which a

locally made sort of a single- row drill pulled by bullock or man is used)

Kera method (The “Kera” method of dropping the seed by hand in furrows created by a bullock – drawn plough and covered by feet)

Seed Rate 6-8 kg/ha for seed production 12-16 kg/ha for fodder production

Irrigations 2-3 irrigation required 1st irrigation 3 weeks after sowing

Fertilizer 90 kg/ha Nitrogen 45 kg/ha Phosphorus

Diseases & insects Downy mildew Leaf spot Grain smut Shoot fly Borers

Inter culture Thinning or gap filling is followed Weeding is done Application of Atrazine @ 0.5 kg/ha is

profitable to control weeds.

Intercultural & weed control

This crop does not require hoeing  Seed crops should be kept free of

weeds to get a good return. No herbicides are used In case of the kera and pora methods of

sowing, weeds may be controlled by interculture using the desi plough.

When sowing is done by broadcasting, only hand weeding is feasible.

Verities BY-18 Cholistani bajra Rainfed bajra

Harvesting 65-80 days after sowing 2.5-4 months crop depending upon verities The crop is harvested when grains become hard

enough and contain moisture Two methods are adopted for harvesting the

crop Cutting ear head first from standing crop

followed by cutting of remaining plants later Cutting of entire plants by sticks and stalking the

plants for five days in sun for obtaining grains.

Production 40-50 tons/ha fodder 1000-1200 kg/ha seed production

Shaftal (persian clover)

Originated from South africa First ornamental plant in Europe Cross pollinated crop Short height then Barseem Purple flower Hallow stem & tap root system

Sowing time & Season

October-November Rabi crop

Climate & Soil Shaftal performs well under a wide range

of climatic and soil conditions, but grows best well-drained, loamy soils. Light to heavy loam soils with irrigation facilities are best.

It requires cool and moist weather conditions for good growth. It is generally grown in the Peshawar region .in KPK, and some irrigated pockets in Punjab and Baluchistan.

Seed rate 10-12 kg/ha Broadcasting on standing water

condition

Seed bed preparation  A fine seedbed is prepared By giving three or four ploughing each

followed by planking.

Irrigations 6 irrigations required 1st irrigation 5-7 days after sowing Irrigation interval should be 15-20 days

depending upon condition

Cuttings 1st cutting in 50-60 days after sowing 2nd cutting 30-40 days after 1st cutting 4-5 total cuttings

Fertilizer application This crop is not fertilized But 2 ½ bags of DAP per hectare is

recommended to increase fodder yield

Intercultural & weeding No interculturing operations are done No weeding is done

Pest & Diseases This crop usually remains safe from

‘pests and diseases and no great lose in fodder yield occurs because of them.

Yield 50-60 tonn/ha 30-40 tonn/ha in rain fed areas

Seed production 1000-1500 kg/ha 10-15 Quantiles/ha

Verities Growers have only local varieties or

crop mixtures.