Forage Production Technology for Arable Lands - Indian Grassland ...

Sodic soilsFollowing steps are involved in the use of the sodic soils for the forage production:Excess sodium present on the exchange sites should be removed through use ofchemical amendments (gypsum, pyrite and sulphur) and organic amendments(FYM, press mud and poultry manur). Amount of the amendment required isdetermined by testing the soil in local soil testing laboratory.Amendment should be applied in Kharif season in rainfed areas but in assuredirrigated areas it can be applied in any season.Gypsum should be broadcasted and incorporated in the surface 0-10 cm soil bydiscing or by using cultivator. It should not be mixed below 10 cm soil depth becauseit may result in decrease of the effectiveness of gypsum.Gypsum should be applied in powdered form (pass through Guinea grass, > Nandigrass > Marvel grass (Dicanthium annulatum). For highly alkali soils (pH 10.0) thesuitable grasses are Karnal grass (Leptochloa fusca) > Rhodes grass (Chlorisgayana) > Guinea grass > Para grass > Doob grass (Cynodon dactylon).Use of the 75% N as inorganic and 25% through FYM and 40 kg ZnSO 4/ha in theinitial years of reclamation is beneficial in increasing crop yield.Application of 40 kg S/ha with recommended dose of NPK to oat and berseemenhance the productivity of these crop by 18-21 per cent. Application of 90 kgP2O 5/hato berseem gives good result in green biomass production.32 Forage Production Technology for Arable Lands