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

Salient Research Accomplishments

Germplasm enrichment, gap analysis and exploration from Himalayan region

• Germplasm enrichment is being undertaken under the CRP Project, wherein 249 germplasm accessions comprising Tall Fescue (42), Red Fescue (57), Red Clover (53), Bromus spp. (56), and Orchard Grass (41) are being evaluated for agro-morphological characterization and preliminary selection.
• 18 berseem varieties evaluated; JHB-17-1 and JHB-17-2 had highest GFY of 356.95 and 324.41 qtls/ha.
• 45 lucerne lines tested; 2 local collections and 3 progenies (Moopa, Crau x DWR-1, Anand-2 polycross) excelled in green fodder yield.
• 23 lucerne lines persisted in the second year, with only 2 lines exceeding 100 g/plant GFY.
• Gap analysis of Himalayan forage resources completed; potential agro-ecological niches identified.
• Comprehensive database of temperate fodder germplasm under formulation for efficient documentation.
• Import of forage germplasm from international agencies initiated to enhance diversity and support crop improvement efforts.

Ensiling of temperate grasses and legumes

• Apple pomace (AP) has been evaluated as an additive (5-50%) in apple leaf, grass, and legume-based diets for silage preparation; silage quality parameters, including pH, lactic acid, and nutrient composition, indicated good to medium quality across treatments.
• Fresh and ensiled diets showed acceptable ranges for crude protein (9.63-13.78%), fiber fractions, and energy values (TDN 65.40-76.24%, ME 2.37-2.76 Kcal/g), with AP contributing to improved ensiling.
• Apple pomace, a fruit industry by-product, can be effectively utilized to conserve seasonal forages into quality silage for livestock feeding during fodder scarcity.

Grassland rejuvenation & Pastoralism

• The mixture of grasses and legumes (Red fescue, RF: Timothy, TM: Chrysopogon gryllus, CG: Red clover, RC and Lotus corniculatus, LC) in equal proportions of 20 per cent each had the highest green fodder yield (GFY) of 33.68 t/ha and dry matter yield (DMY) of 8.54 t/ha.
• Legume diversification significantly improved the indicators of ecosystem functions, such as carbon management index (CMI), biological activity index (BAI), and ecorestoration efficiency (ERE).

Development of seed standards in temperate forages

• Seed standards for five crops (Tall fescue, Bromus, Orchard grass, Ryegrass, and Red clover) have been developed and certified by ICAR as a technology.
• Development of seed standards for other crops is in progress.
• Dormancy-breaking protocols (0.2% KNO3, pre-chilling treatment @10°C or combination) developed to enhance germination.

Studies of natural farming practices in forage crops

• Conventional/modern farming recorded highest fodder yield for oat and orchard grass; improved natural farming was comparable to integrated farming.
• Natural farming recorded lowest forage yield among all practices.

Intensive fodder production through crop diversification and zinc fortification in Kashmir Himalaya

• Cowpea recorded highest crude protein; maize + cowpea had highest CP yield.
• Soil + foliar zinc application improved CP content, yield, DMI, DDM, and RFV significantly.
• Maize + cowpea - oat + berseem system recorded highest total GFY and DMY.

Success Story of Grassland Restoration

Location & Period: Aru Valley, District Anantnag, J&K (2019–2025)
Latitude: 34.093751   Longitude: 75.259925   Elevation: 2542.3625 m amsl

Ecological Context:
i. Short growing season (May–October)
ii. Cold winters, poor soils
iii. Weed invasion, forage depletion
iv. Gujjar/Bakarwal/Chopan dependence on grasslands
v. Major fodder seed multiplication farm of Dept. of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, Kashmir

Key Indicators (Pre & Post Intervention)

• Herbage Yield: 4–5 t/ha → 7–8 t/ha
• Palatable Species Cover: <40% → >75%
• Soil Organic Carbon: 0.4–0.6% → 0.9–1.1%
• Forage Species Diversity: Fair → Significantly Improved (>40 species)
• Seed Production: Nil → 4.5 q in tall fescue, 3 q in Bromus, 5 q in rye grass

Overall Impact

• Rehabilitated >10 ha pasture
• Improved summer forage & livestock nutrition
• Reduced pressure on native pastures
• More availability of fodder seed

Way Forward

• Replicate in other sub-alpine areas of J&K
• Adopt community-led pasture management
• Strengthen linkages between stakeholders for long-term impact

Capacity Building and Outreach Activities

Germplasm Evaluation Field and Outreach Activities

5 days Training Programme with MANAGE

21 days Summer School on Agroforestry

Capacity Building and Outreach Activities

Capacity Building and Outreach Activities

Glimpses of Grassland Restoration in Ganderbal district

Beneficiary Shrimati Zaitoon Begum interacted with Honourable Prime Minister on 28th Sept 2021

3 Days International Conference at Kashmir University organized by RRS Srinagar and NADCL

Staff Position

Dr. Suheel Ahmad

Senior Scientist (Agroforestry) & Scientist in Charge

Dr. Asif Mohd Iqbal

Senior Scientist (Genetics & Plant Breeding)

Dr. Nazim Hamid Mir

Scientist, Sr. Scale (Agronomy)

Dr. Atufa Regu

Scientist (Agricultural Extension)