BERSEEM

Berseem is a fast growing, high quality forage that is mainly cut and fed as green chopped forage. Flowers are yellowish-white in color. Berseem can be sown alone or in combination with other species. It is mixed with grass (ryegrass) or with a winter cereal crop such as oats to make high quality silage.

This crop gives best result when grown in medium to heavy soil. It can be grown on sandy loam soil but it requires frequent irrigations. It improves physical, chemical and biological properties of soil and thus improves its fertility status.

Hisar Berseem 2 (HB 2)

HB 1: Suitable for timely sown irrigated areas. It is resistant to stem and root rot. It give average yield of 280 qtl/acre.

Mescavi: Developed by CCS, Hisar. Suitable for cultivation in entire growing areas. Gives 5-6 cuttings. Gives average yield of 300-340 qtl/acre.  

HFB 600: Developed by CCS, Hisar. Suitable for cultivation in entire growing areas. More profitable than Mescavi variety. Resistant to root and stem rot. It gives average yield of 280-300 qtl/acre of green fodder and 36-40 qtl/acre of dried fodder.

Other States varieties

Wardan: Developed by IGFRI, Jhansi. Suitable for cultivation in entire growing areas.

BL 22: Developed by PAU, Ludhiana. Suitable for hill areas of north India and sub-temperate region.

BL 180: Developed by PAU, Ludhiana. Suitable for growing areas of north India.

For sowing, use levelled land so that water logging conditions will not appeared during growth period. Carry out planking operation after each ploughing.

Time of sowing
For higher yield, optimum time for berseem cultivation is from last week of September to last week of October.

Spacing
Sowing broadcasting method is used.

Sowing Depth
Depending upon weather conditions, broadcast seeds in standing water (water depth 4-5cm). Complete sowing in evening hours.  

Method of sowing
Berseem is sown by broadcasting method.

Seed Rate
Use seed free from weeds. Before sowing put seeds in water and remove seeds which floats on water. Use seed rate of eight to ten kg seeds.
For getting good yield, mix 750kg of mustard seed along with berseem seeds.

Seed Treatment
Before sowing, treat seeds with Rhizobium culture. Mixed one packet of Rhizobium culture in 10% gur solution and then rub this mixture on seeds. Dry them in shade.

Fertilizer Requirements (kg/acre)

Nutrients Requirments (Kg/acre)

Apply N:P in ratio of 10:28kg in form of Urea@22kg and Superphosphate@175kg per acre at sowing time.

Bueen is serious weeds of berseem crop. To control this weed before sowing, spray Fluchloralin@400 ml/200Ltrs of water per acre on seed bed.

First irrigation is important, apply it within 3 to 5 days in light soil and 8-10 days in heavy soils. Remaining irrigation should be applied at 8-10 days interval in summer and 10-15 days during winter.

• Insect Pest and their control

Grass hopper: It damage crop by eating leaves. It occurre mostly in May-June month. If infestation is observed, spray crop with Malathion 50EC@500ml in 80-100Ltr of water per acre. After spraying do not feed cattle for seven days.

Kali chinti : Attack on seeds and cause poor germination. Do dusting of Methyl Parathion@2% (10kg/acre) at places of black ants.

Gram Caterpillar: Avoid raising of crop nearby tomato, gram, late sown wheat. If infestation is observed spray with Chlorantraniliprole 18.5SL@50ml or Spinosad 48SC@60ml per acre in 80-100Ltr water with help of knapsack sprayer.

• Disease and their control
  

Stem Rot: It is seed borne disease. It causes rotting of stem near soil surface. White fungus growth is observed on nearby soil.
Remove and destroyed affected plants. Take spray of Carbendazim@400gm in 200 ltrs of water per acre.

Crop is ready to harvest 50 days after sowing. After then take cutting with 40 days interval in winter and 30 days interval in spring. Berseem can be mixed with 20% ground maize to provide high quality silage.

1.Punjab Agricultural University Ludhiana

2.Department of Agriculture

3.Indian Agricultural Research Instittute, New Delhi

4.Indian Institute of Wheat and Barley Research

5.Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare