This document discusses the characteristics, cultivation, and nutritional profile of berseem, an important leguminous forage crop in the Mediterranean region. Berseem is sown in early autumn as a rabi crop and grown with supplemental irrigation. It requires 8 kg of seed per acre and fertilization with DAP, rhizobium bacteria, and molybdenum. Berseem is harvested 45-60 days after sowing and can be preserved as silage mixed with maize or as hay from the last spring cutting. It is comparable to alfalfa in nutrients but less likely to cause bloat. The document also notes some anti-nutritional factors like trypsin inhibitors that can reduce protein digestibility

2. Topics under discussion
 Identification
 How to cultivate( fertilizers and irrigation )
 Preservation
 Nutrients
 Anti nutritional factors

3. Berseem
 Scientific name : Trifolium alexandrinum
 Common name : berseem
 One of most important leguminous forages in
Mediterranean region and Middle East

4. Characheristics
 Rabi crop
 Leguminous forage
 It is annual, Sparcely hairy, erect forage legume, 30-
80cm high
 Has shallow taproot
 Stems are hollow, branching at base with alternate
leaves

6. Characteristics
 Flowers are yellowish white
 Form dense cluster heads about 2cm in diameter
 Flowers are cross pollinated
 Fruit is pod containing single white to purplish seed

8. Characteristics
 It is compared to Alfalfa due to same nutritional profile
 But less likely to cause bloat
 And less drought resistant
 Grow in early autumn

9. Method of production
 Propagated by seeds
 Sown in early autumn
 Grown alone or with other species i.e sarson( Brassica
juncea) or turnips
 Moderately cold environment is required
 Not less than 20°C
 Grown in canal irrigated area

10. Methods of production
 Eight kg of seeds per acre is required
 To ensure kasni free seeds, Seeds are put in 10% NaCl
and seive the floating kasni seeds
 2-3 ploughings are done
 Tolerant for salinity, economical for Reclamation of
saline land

12. Fertilization and watering
One bag of DAP is required per acre for phosphorus
One packet per acre of special culture of bacteria
(rhizobium trifoli)
1kg of molybedenum is added

13. Fertilization and watering
 Irrigating depends upon soil and climatic conditions
 Irrigation is done within 3-5 days for light soil
 For heavy soil within 7-10 days
 15-20 days subsequent intervals from march to last
cutting
 Subsequent cut after 30 days. LAst cut before 15 march

14. Harvest
 Harvested in 45-60 days after sowing
 Mature in 3rd week of April

15. Preservation
 Silage : Suitable for forrage with high moisture content
and high concentration of fermentable carbohydrates
 Mixed with 20% ground maize for high quality Silage
 Berseem + 5% molasses

16. Hay
 Not good
 Because its succulent stem does not dry
 Intended for hay, only last spring cut used
 Firstly wilt in feild and dry on rooftops
 Good Nutritive value compared to Alfalfa

17. Nutritive value Nutrients
 Crude fiber
 Crude protein
 NDF
 ADF
 Ether
 Ash
 Calcium
 Phosphorus
 Percentage
 22.3%
 19.9%
 44.8%
 27.5%
 3.2%
 15.4%
 19.3 g/kg
 2.7g/kg

18. Anti nutritional factors
 ANFs are substances that interfere with utilization of
dietary Nutrients in variety of ways:
Reducing protein digestibility
Binding to nutrients
Damage to gut wall

19. ANFs Conti..
 These may be:
Lectins
Protease inhibitors
Tannis
Glucosinolate
Phytic acid

20. ANFs Conti….
 Main inhibitors are trypsin and chymotrypsin in
leguminous plants
 They form complexes with pancreatic enzymes
therefore reduce availability of enzymes
 Hence CCK release more also cause hypertrophy of
pancreas

21. ANFs Conti…
 Phytic acid binds with phosphorus, calcium, COpper,
Mg and Mn
 Therefore reduces availability

22. THE END OF
PRESENTATION