Sunn Hemp – Forage
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Sunn Hemp is an erect, herbaceous annual shrub. It is a summer legume crop with a well- developed taproot system. It is primarily used as a cover crop or as green manuring to improve the nitrogen status of the soil.
Description
Sunn hemp forage (Crotalaria juncea) is a warm-season, fast-growing legume native to India and widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is valued for its versatility as a cover crop, green manure, forage crop, and soil improvement tool.
Characteristics: Sunn hemp is an annual, upright plant that can reach heights of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) within 60-90 days of sowing. It has bright green, lance-shaped leaves and vibrant yellow flowers arranged in long, terminal clusters. The plant produces numerous pods containing small, black seeds.
Soil Improvement: Sunn hemp forage is known for its ability to improve soil health and fertility. As a legume, it forms symbiotic relationships with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules, allowing it to capture atmospheric nitrogen and convert it into a form usable by plants. When the plant is incorporated into the soil, it releases nitrogen-rich organic matter, enriching the soil and enhancing its fertility. Additionally, sunn hemp’s extensive root system helps improve soil structure, reduce erosion, and suppress weed growth.
Cover Crop and Green Manure: Sunn hemp is widely used as a cover crop and green manure in agricultural systems. As a cover crop, it provides ground cover and suppresses weed growth, helping to conserve soil moisture and prevent erosion. When used as a green manure, sunn hemp is grown to maturity and then incorporated into the soil before it sets seed. This adds organic matter and nutrients to the soil, improving its structure and fertility for subsequent crops.
Forage Crop: Sunn hemp is also utilized as a high-quality forage crop for livestock. Its tender foliage is palatable and nutritious, with high protein content and digestibility. It can be grazed by livestock or harvested for hay or silage, providing an excellent source of supplemental feed, particularly during the dry season when other forage options may be limited.
In summary, sunn hemp is a valuable multipurpose crop with numerous agronomic benefits. Its ability to improve soil health, provide valuable forage, and contribute to sustainable agricultural practices makes it an important component of diversified cropping systems in tropical and subtropical regions.
Sunn Hemp forage is an erect, herbaceous annual shrub. It is a summer legume crop with a well- developed taproot system. It is primarily used as a cover crop or as green manuring to improve the nitrogen status of the soil. It can also be used as a source of fibre, but has limited use as a forage crop. This is mostly due to the palatability, digestibility and alkaloid toxicity of the crop.
Where to sow Sunn Hemp seeds
It requires a minimum rainfall of 300 mm per annum.
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