Berseem Seeds (Egyptian clover / Trifolium Alexandrinum Seeds)

Berseem is popularly known as the “King of Fodder crops”, one of the most important leguminous fodder, annual crop for irrigated condition. It gives 5-7 cuts during winter, spring and early summer seasons, erect fodder legume comes up 30-80 cm high. It is adopted to cool and moderately cold climate conditions; the optimum temperature at the time of sowing is 25-29⁰C. Plough 2-3 times to obtain a good tilth & sowing method is broadcast; seed requires 8-10 kg/acre. Seeds are small and hence before sowing, it is mixed with sand in 1:1 proportion for even sowing. Broadcast seeds in standing water (water depth 4-5 cm) for first time of irrigation & complete sowing in evening hours. Irrigate immediately after sowing, life/second irrigation within 3-5 days in light soil & 6-8 days in heavy soils. Thereafter, irrigation should be applied at 8-10 days interval in summer and 10-15 days during winter. Fodder yield potential is very high, first harvest to be done on 50-60 days after sowing, subsequent harvest are 35-40 days once. Average green fodder yield is 16-17 t/ac. It highly nutritious, succulent & palatable fodder for all types of livestock. It stimulates milk production of Cow & Buffalo and improving body weight for Goat, Sheep & Poultries. The green fodder of Berseem on drymatter basis contains 17-22% of Crude Protein & 25.9% of Fibre. It is used for Pasture/Free grazing, Green fodder, Hay/Straw & Silage. It can also be used as Green manure crop, having good Nitrogen fixation.

Weed control: It sown in mixture with Oats/Ryegrass smothers weeds during establishment & re-grows after cutting at the time the oats are harvested.

Note: 1. At the time of harvest, farmers should maintain for 5cm above from the ground level. It is good for re-growth/next generation.

2. Good for mixed cropping; suitable crops are Oats, Ryegrass, Alfalfa.