ABSTRACT
Livestock is an important sector that contributes mainly to milk and meat production and alleviates poverty worldwide, including in Pakistan. Fodder crops are the primary source of feed for diversified types of livestock. However, fodder’s reduced production is the major limiting factor, particularly winter fodder crops, including alfalfa, berseem, oat, barley, mustard, and clover. A consistent supply of adequate and nutritious fodder is crucial for the promotion and development of livestock. Leguminous fodder provides relatively high fodder protein to livestock and improves soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Several factors directly or indirectly affect fodder production. These factors include drought, precipitation, temperature, waterlogging, salinity, organic and inorganic pollutants, day length, light intensity, and so on. Similarly, edaphic factors, including soil texture, organic matter, nutrient availability, pH, redox potential, porosity, color, and moisture, also influence fodder production. Adopting various management strategies, that is, site amelioration, awareness of problems, institutions’ role, and research and development, could efficiently enhance fodder production under stressed environments and edaphic factors. Therefore, winter fodder production can be enhanced by controlling adverse environmental and edaphic factors with the best management strategies.
