भा.कृ.अनु.प.- भारतीय चरागाह एवं चारा अनुसंधान संस्थान, झाँसी

1. Developed Fodder Crop Varieties

• AVKB-19 : Pearl millet dual type variety developed for cultivation in North West Zone comprising the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Gujarat.
• Bundel Anjan-4 (IGFRI-67-365) — Released for Central Zone (Green Fodder Yield: 375 q/ha).
• Bundel Dhaman-1 (IG-96-706) — Released for North-West Zone (Green Fodder Yield: 140 q/ha).

2. Developed fodder and seed production technologies of pasture grasses and legumes

• Recommended application of 2% foliar spray of KNO₃ in Cenchrus ciliaris at panicle initiation stage for improvement of proportion of filled seed (23.4%), germination (21.2%) and seed yield (28.7%).
• Enhanced germination of Clitoria ternatea (range legume) by physical scarification: Highest germination (90%) was achieved by nicking followed by sand-paper scarification which increased germination up to 70.5% compared to control (6.5%).
• Seed treatment of Anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris): GA₃ (200 ppm for 24 hr), Thiourea (0.6% for 18 hr) and KNO₃ (0.4% for 24 hr) are recommended for achieving grass germination up to ≈45%.
• Off-season seed production for Anjan/Dhaman grasses: Evaluated seed production potential of seven genotypes of each Cenchrus ciliaris and Cenchrus setigerus during three seasons (monsoon, autumn and spring) over three years — results indicate seed production is feasible during all three seasons.
• Seed viability behaviour of fluffed and defluffed seed of range grasses (C. ciliaris (Anjan grass):Lasiurus scindicus (Sewan grass) and Pennisetum pedicellatum (Dinanath grass) in different containers suggested that defluffing of seed reduced the volume of seed by 5-6 times accordingly that saved the cost of packaging and transportation of the grass seed. However, storage of delfulffed is recommended only up to 6 months while fluffed seed can be stored for > 2 years.
• Recommendation of storage container for range grasses: Among the storage containers, poly bag >700 gauge and Aluminum bag found effective in comparison to cloth bag, polylined HDPE bag and polybag <300 gauge for maintaining the seed viability during storage in fluffed as well as defluffed seed in (Anjan, Sewan, Dinanath and Guinea grasses).
• Developed seed dormancy-dissipation method for Heteropogon and Sehima grasses: Among the different dormancy dissipating methods such as heating the seed at 40 o C for 120 hours, and treatment with KNO 3 , Thiourea, GA 3, ether and H 2 SO 4 ; treatment with GA 3 at 750 ppm for 18 hrs found most effective in dissipating the seed dormancy which led to 72% germination in Heteropogon, whereas ether was found least effective (1.3% germination). Evaluation of germination medium (Top of paper, Between paper and Sand), temperature (25 o C, 35-20 o C and 30-20 o C) and presence/absence of light indicated that Top of paper (TP) medium at 25 o C temp. in dark were found suitable method in Heteropogon and Sehima grasses.
• Weed management in Cenchrus grass: 2,4-D @ 0.5 kg a.i./ha at 20 DAS (early post-emergence) recommended for efficient weed control and uniform establishment of Cenchrus setigerus.
• Standardized cutting schedule for seed production of Cenchrus ciliaris (Anjan grass):In rainfed regions grass cutting on 20 th July is recommended for highest seed production in semi-arid areas.
• Canopy management effects on Neem based silvipasture system: The 75% lopping of 10-year-old trees is recommended for neem-based silvopasture systems in semi-arid rainfed regions of Rajasthan for higher carbon sequestration potential, soil health, and fodder productivity of the neem-based silvipastoral system.

Success Stories

Grassland development on common property resources (CPR) on about 70 ha in Soda village, District Tonk (Rajasthan) during 2013. Technical support along with seed/rooted slips of Anjan grass (Cenchrus ciliaris), Dhaman grass (Cenchrus setigerus), Dinanath grass (Pennisetum pedicellatum) and saplings of fodder trees Soobabul (Leucaena leucocephala), Ardu (Ailanthus excelsa) and Neem (Azadirachta indica) were supplied.

IGFRI-WRRS, Avikanagar assisted in the development of pasture in 18 hectare area which increased fodder availability many fold for the animals during 2024. It has been observed that the community started following scientific pasture management techniques. The observations on fodder yield were recorded. The average fodder productivity of the pasture was recorded 58 quintal/hectare. Along with enhanced fodder availability the quality of fodder improved with the intervention of improved varieties of grasses such IGFRI-3108 of Cenchrus ciliaris and Bundel Dhaman-1 of Cenchrus setigerus. Since these grasses have wide range of adaptability traits firmly got established in the pasture. The committee was also encouraged for seed production for self-sustainability of the community pasture consequently the pasture management committee harvested 20 kg seed from the pasture for gap filling and rejuvenation of pasture.