Forage Crops of the World ― Major Forage Crops

This new book, the first of two volumes on forage crops grown throughout the world, discusses the importance of fodder production of the major fodder crops for animals. It focuses on fodder production for the 17 major forage crops, both non-leguminous perennial forages and leguminous forages. It discusses crop production methodology and agronomic management in a systemic way, providing an abundance of information on each type of forage crop, including preferred soil type, land capability, cropping patterns, climate, and socioeconomic conditions. It goes on to address pests of leguminous forage crops, disease management of non-leguminous seasonal forages, agroforestry in fodder and forage crops, preservation of forage crops, and forage production and climate change.

Forage crops are very essential for quality milk and meat production. Farm animals are normally fed fodder available from cultivated areas, supplemented by a small extent with harvested grasses and top feeds. The three major sources of fodder are crop residues, cultivated fodder, and fodder from trees, pastures, and grazing lands. The patterns and types of fodder crops vary by geographical location. With the amount of land under cultivation decreasing, there are limited resources for growing fodder crops, so new trends and solutions are emerging, such as dual purposes crops and using land that normally remains fallow throughout the year.

This volume, Forage Crops of the World, Volume I: Major Forage Crops, provides valuable information needed for effect forage crop production and management. The book, with chapters from highly qualified scientists, will be a rich resource for researchers, academicians, students, and those in the industry. Volume 2 of Forage Crops of the World focuses on minor forage crops.

Md. Hedayetullah, PhD, is an Assistant Professor/Scientist and Officer In-Charge, AICRP (All India Coordinated Research Projects) on Chickpea, Directorate of Research, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal. He is a former Agronomist with the NABARD, Balasore, Odisha, India. He was also formerly a Professor at the M.S. Swaminathan Institute of Agriculture Science, Centurion University of Technology and Management, Gajapati, Odisha, India, and an Assistant Professor at the College of Agriculture, Tripura, Government of Tripura, India. Dr. Hedayetullah is the author and co-author of 20 research papers, five review papers two book chapters, and one book.

Dr. Hedayetullah acquired his BS degree (Agriculture) from H.N.B. Garhwal University, UK, India. He received his MS degree (Agronomy) from Palli Siksha Bhavana, Institute of Agriculture, Visva Bharati University, Sriniketan, West Bengal, India. He received his PhD (Agronomy) from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. He was awarded the Maulana Azad National Fellowship Award from the University Grant Commission, New Delhi, India. He has received several fellowship grants from various funding agencies to carry out his research works during his academic career.

Parveen Zaman, PhD, is an Assistant Director of Agriculture (Farm) at the Pulse & Oilseed Research Sub-Station, Beldanga, Department of Agriculture, Government of West Bengal, India. She is author and co-author of four research papers, three review papers, and four book chapters. She acquired her BS degree (Agriculture), receiving a Gold Medal, from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. She received MS degree (Agronomy), also with Gold Medal, from Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, Nadia, West Bengal, India. She was awarded the Maulana Azad National Fellowship Award from the University Grants Commission, New Delhi, India, and has received several fellowship grants from various funding agencies to carry out her research works during her academic career.