LPM 121: Fodder Production and Grassland Management (1+1)

RAINFED SORGHUM

• Rainfall
  • Average and well distributed rainfall of 250 - 300 mm is optimum for rainfed fodder cholam.
• Distribution
  • Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Sivagangai, Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Karur, Pudukkottai, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts.
• Season
  • The crop can be grown in South West and North East monsoons.
• Field Preparation
  • Field has to be prepared well in advance taking advantage of early showers. FYM application should be done at 12.5 t/ha and incorporated into the soil at the time of last ploughing.
• Varieties
  • K7, CO27 and K10 for Madurai, Dindugul, Theni, Ramanathapuram, Tirunelveli Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar and Sivagangai districts.
  • CO27 and CO11 for Tiruchirapalli, Perambalur, Karur, Pudukkottai, Erode, Salem, Namakkal, Coimbatore, Dharmapuri, Kanchipuram, Tiruvallur, Vellore and Tiruvannamalai districts.
• Seed Rate: 75 kg/ha
• Sowing:
  • Sow the seeds well before the onset of monsoon at 5 cm depth. (by seed drill or by country plough)
• Spacing: 30 x 15 cm
• Fertilizers: 30 kg N ; 20 kg P₂O₅ and 20 kg K₂O / ha.
• Plant Protection
  • Need based. Avoid spraying /dusting for a fodder crop after 30^th day of sowing.