Kern 824 Mustard Forage

Midori (Kern 824) is a Chinese mustard grown as fast winter green fodder, with leafy growth ready for a first cut in 30–40 days and 12–14% crude protein.

Land and sowing window

• Sowing: August to October
• With berseem: the last week of September to the first week of October is the best time (PAU) — the mustard is sown together with the berseem so that it gives an early first cut while the berseem is still establishing
• Soil: well-drained loamy soil with moderate moisture

How to sow

• Seed rate: about 1 kg per acre (0.8–1 kg)
• Mixed with berseem: 400–750 g per acre mixed with the full berseem seed rate (ICAR advisory 400 g of Chinese cabbage seed; PAU 750 g of sarson seed). Broadcast with the berseem seed in standing water, or broadcast evenly in a dry field, rake and irrigate at once
• Seed is tiny: mix it with moist soil or sand for even spreading, and sow shallow
• Pack size: 50 g

Water, weeds and pests

• Irrigation: grows under both irrigated and semi-irrigated conditions. Irrigate right after sowing for even germination, and again about a week before each cut — PAU advises this for all fodder crops to keep the fodder safe and palatable
• Weeds: the quick cover smothers most weeds; do not use herbicides on a fodder mixture unless specifically recommended
• Pests: watch for aphids and painted bug in warm, dry spells. Spray only as per label and your state advisory, and observe the waiting period before feeding

Harvest

• First cut: 30–40 days after sowing
• Stage: cut leafy, before the plants run to flower; in a berseem mixture, take it with the first berseem cut
• Fodder quality: 12–14% crude protein, 55–60% TDN
• As saag: young plants can also be harvested as a green leafy vegetable

Crop practices follow state agricultural university recommendations for North India; confirm doses for your district with your Kern dealer or KVK.

Please quote product code KERN-824 when ordering.

Agronomy helpline: 9107062062