Fodder Beet: Game changer for livestock feed - High Yield, High Energy

In arid regions, securing green fodder has long been a challenge due to the harsh and unpredictable climate. However, the ICAR - Central Arid Zone Research Institute in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, has introduced a promising solution: fodder beet. This high-yielding fodder crop can produce over 200 tons per hectare of green biomass within just four months. Developed specifically for challenging conditions, fodder beet is primarily used as animal feed and plays a vital role in boosting livestock milk production, thereby increasing farmers' incomes. It is currently cultivated in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Kerala, and Uttar Pradesh.

Key Feature of Fodder Beet

• Fodder beet can be grown profitably with poor-quality water and soil.

• It has a high yield potential.

• It improves milk yield of cattle.

• It needs a low cost of cultivation.

Best Fodder Beet Varieties to Grow

• Jomon - It is orange colored beet variety with good resistance to leaf disease and bolting.

• Monroe - It is red colored beet variety with an excellent resistance to bolting.

• JK Kuber - It is orange colored beet variety, famous as High yielding, digestible and energy-rich variety.

• Geronimo - It is yellow-orange colored beet variety with strong tolerance to disease like mildew.

Cultivation Process

• Soil and Climate Requirements: It requires moderate temperatures, making it suitable for cultivation in semi-arid regions. The crop adapts well in poor-quality soils and water.

• Time of Sowing: Fodder beet is mainly sown from mid-October to mid-November. Early sowing ensures proper root development and maximizes yield.

• Land Preparation: Ploughing should be done 3 to 4 weeks before sowing. The fine seed bed should be prepared and seed should be planted on ridges of 20 cm height.

• Seed rate & spacing: Seed rate for fodder beet varies from 2.0 to 2.5 kg/ha. The seed should be sown at the depth of 2 to 4 cm, with a 20 cm spacing between the plant.

• Fertilizer Management: About 25-ton FYM/ha, 100kg Nitrogen/ha + 75kg Phosphorus/ha should be applied for making soil suitable for fodder beet cultivation. Nitrogen should be applied in three splits - half at the time of sowing and ¼ in the interval of 30 and 50 days.

• Irrigation Practices: Fodder beet needs 10-12 sprinkler irrigation with a total requirement of around 80-100 cm irrigation water. Water should be applied at the interval of 7 to 10 days.

• Interculture operations: Thinning, weeding and earthing up must be carried out between 20-30 days after sowing.

• Pest and disease management: To control soil borne insect, apply Quinalphos powder (1.5℅) at the rate of 25kg/ha before sowing. Irrigation should be applied to avoid wilting of leaves.

• Harvesting: Harvesting typically starts in mid-January, once the roots reach a weight of 1.0 to 1.5 kg. Both the roots and foliage are highly nutritious and serve as excellent feed for livestock.

• Feeding methods: Chopped roots are mixed with dry fodder for livestock feed, with the proportion gradually increased to make up 60% of the animal's total dry matter intake. Recommended dosages are 12 to 20 kg per day for cows and buffaloes, and 4 to 6 kg per day for small ruminants. It is important not to feed livestock fodder that has been harvested for more than three days or in excessive amounts, as it may lead to acidity in the animals.

(Source -ICAR-CAZRI, Jodhpur, Rajasthan)