SARSABZ: A HIGH FODDER YIELDING ALFALFA VARIETY WITH BETTER NUTRITIONAL VALUE AND SUITABLE FOR HAY MAKING
ABDUL JABBAR
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
ABDUL BASIT
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
IMTIAZ AKRAM KHAN NIAZI
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
AFTAB AHMAD KHAN
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
MUHAMMAD ATHER NADEEM
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
BILAL AHMAD KHAN *
Department of Agronomy, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
AHMAD HUSSAIN
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
GHULAM AHMAD
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
NAILA FAROOQ
Department of Soil and Environmental Sciences, College of Agriculture, University of Sargodha, Pakistan.
IMTIAZ AHMAD WARAICH
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
ANEES UL HUSNAIN SHAH
Fodder Research Institute Sargodha, Punjab, Pakistan.
MUHAMMAD IRFAN
Pulses Research Station Sialkot, Pakistan.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The demand of high fodder yielding varieties of alfalfa with better nutritional quality is increasing by the livestock farmers. The cultivation of high yielding fodder crops is compulsory need of the era for livestock industry development, especially in developing countries like Pakistan. Development of high fodder yielding varieties suitable for conservation is a dire need to combat the scarcity of fodders during lean period for this region. In this regard Fodder Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan has developed a new alfalfa variety ‘Sarsabz’ having high green fodder yield and better nutritional value with value added quality of hay making due to more number of leaves per plant and less leaves shedding attributes. This variety is an outcome of the selection from base population developed by random mating of five different lines NO.1107; NO.64, R-793, NO.565-85and Sunder during 2006-2019. It has proved its worth in all yield trials and its performance is better than the existing Sargodha Lucerne variety. It produced 6.55% and 11.34% higher green fodder yield as compared to check variety Sargodha Lucerne in National Uniform Fodder Yield Trials. Moreover, its green fodder contains 25% dry matter, 19.6 % protein, 22.7% crude fiber and 1.98% crude fat. The new variety showed better tolerance against diseases (Anthracnose& Stem/Crown rot). Agronomic studies revealed that it is fit in a better way with the existing agronomic practices.
Keywords: Sarsabz, alfalfa, variety, green fodder yield, hay, quality, Punjab