Complete Alfalfa Cultivation Guide | Losern Farming Documentation

1. Land Preparation

Well-leveled alfalfa field with proper drainage

laserlevel.jpg

Fig 1.1: Proper field preparation ensures good drainage and uniform growth

Key Requirements

Drainage: No waterlogging - ensure proper drainage
Soil pH: 6.5 to 7.0 (test before planting)
Preparation Time: 2-3 months before sowing
Laser Leveling: Essential for uniform water distribution

Soil Amendments

Material	Quantity	Timing
Gypsum	2 tons/acre	During land preparation
Old Compost	1 ton/acre	During land preparation
Sulphur Bentonite	25 kg/acre	At land preparation (use carefully in heat)

Pre-Sowing Weed Control

Glyphosate Spray: 1-2 liters/acre, apply 3 months before sowing to eliminate all green weeds.

2. Seed Selection & Sowing

seeds.jpg

Fig 2.1: Recommended alfalfa seed varieties

Recommended Varieties

Pioneer N59

Maxim Supersonic

Cuf 103

Contact for Cuf 103: 0331-4311180

Seed Type: Cold-tolerant, old crop seeds preferred

Sowing Schedule

Optimal Time Window

20 October to 15 November when night temperature reaches 18°C

Seed Rate

10-15 kg per acre with minimal seed coating

Post-Sowing Care

Light irrigation after sowing, then wait 4 days before next watering

3. Fertilization Schedule

fertilizers.jpg

Fig 3.1: Fertilizer application techniques

Basal Application (Before Sowing)

Zarkhaiz Plus (8-23-18): 2 kg (basal) + 20 kg Urea + 20 kg NP
Sulphur: 25 kg/acre - Helps open soil pores

After Each Cut

Material	Quantity per Acre
Zarkhaiz Plus	50 kg
NP Fertilizer	15 kg
Urea	15 kg
Sulphur	4 kg
Compost Tea	40 liters

COMPOST TEA BREWING GUIDE

Quick Recipe (200L Batch)

40 kg

Mature Compost

3 kg

Molasses

200L

Dechlorinated Water

Brew Time: 36-48 hours with continuous aeration

Temperature: 20-25°C (optimal for microbial growth)

Step-by-Step Brewing

Step 1: Prepare Ingredients

• Use well-aged compost (6-12 months old)
• Dissolve molasses in warm water
• Dechlorinate tap water (let sit 24 hours)

Step 2: Start Brewing

• Place compost in porous bag
• Suspend in 200L container
• Add dissolved molasses
• Start vigorous aeration

Step 3: Monitor & Finish

• Brew for 36-48 hours
• Maintain 20-25°C temperature
• Look for earthy smell & brown foam
• Strain before use

Step 4: Application

• Apply 40L/acre within 4 hours of brewing
• Best: 2-3 days after cutting
• Apply as soil drench or foliar spray

GOOD QUALITY

✓ Earthy, sweet smell

✓ Dark brown color

✓ Frothy foam

✓ Clear when settled

BAD QUALITY (DISCARD)

✗ Foul, rotten smell

✗ Slimy texture

✗ No foam formation

✗ Muddy appearance

PRO TIPS FOR ALFALFA

1

Add 5kg alfalfa meal to compost for extra nitrogen specific to alfalfa

2

Apply within 4 hours of brewing - microbes are most active

3

For foliar spray: Dilute 1:20 with water and filter through 400-micron sieve

4

Combine with Sorgaab spray for enhanced stress tolerance in summer

EXPECTED RESULTS: 15-25% Yield Increase & 1-3% Higher Protein Content

Winter Application (per irrigation)

2 kg

Sulphur

10-15 kg

Urea

4. Cutting Schedule & Protein Content

cutting.jpg

Fig 4.1: Alfalfa ready for cutting at 28 days

Cutting Timeline

Cut	Month	Optimal Age	Condition
First Cut	January	28 days	Before flowering
Second Cut	February	28 days	5-10% flowering

Important: Never let crop age beyond 28 days

Protein Content Analysis

24-Day Crop

22-24% Protein

28-Day Crop

20% Protein

5. Pest & Disease Management

pests.jpg

Fig 5.1: Armyworm - major pest in alfalfa cultivation

Weed Control

Season	Weed Type	Recommended Herbicide
Winter	Broadleaf weeds	Cardinal
Summer	Narrowleaf weeds	Excel

Insect Control (Armyworm/American Worm)

Preventive: Treat 7 days before cutting
If attack after cut: Spray Emafuran 8% when 2-4 leaves appear
Alternative Insecticides: Emamectin 3%, Lufenuron 5%

Special Sprays

Flumet Spray: Apply at 2-3 leaf stage, then water + urea after 10 days
Sorgaab Spray/Flood: Highly beneficial at 2-3 inch growth stage
Summer Stress: Apply multivitamin (NPK + Sorgaab) before heat stress

Spray Timing: Preferably during cool hours

6. Research Institutes & Contacts

Fodder Research Institute, Sargodha

048 3712653

director.fodder@gmail.com

Ayub Research Institute

Contact local agriculture extension

Bahawalpur Research Institute

Specialized in arid region crops

Cuf 103 / Sorgaab Contact

0331-4311180

For seed and sorgaab spray information

7. Key Reminders & Best Practices

Machinery

Always use double rotavator before sowing for proper seedbed preparation.

Water Management

Ensure good drainage at all times. Light irrigation with proper runoff.

Timing

Follow cutting schedule strictly to maintain optimal protein content.

Monitoring

Monitor for pests 7 days before each cut and take preventive measures.

Critical Warning

Sulphur Bentonite Application: Can burn crops in high heat. Apply carefully during cooler periods and mix properly with urea (1 kg sulphur with urea as basal dressing).