Comfrey is a completely new and multipurpose plant for farmers other than our country. It can be planted in almost all geographical areas of Nepal. It grows even better in the Terai and mid-hills. It is a perennial protein-rich grass and herb. Although it is considered a native of Europe and Asia, it is a kind of miracle plant that has spread to other continents.
The scientific name of the commonly found common comfrey is (Symphytum officinale). Another species of comfrey is also planted in the premises of the Nepal Agricultural Research Council with special importance. It is called Russian comfrey (Symphytumxu plandicum). Although both comfreys can and have been used as grass, we will discuss it based on the Russian comfrey species, which is comparatively more popular.
This grass is used as a herb in cases of wounds and burns. It is also widely used as compost and liquid organic fertilizer. Its leaves are broad and thick. There are fine hairs on the stems. Therefore, it can be a little itchy or stinging when handling it. It does not grow in winter. It grows again in summer. Its flowers are mostly white and pink.
Comfrey, Herb or Grass or Fertilizer?
In the encyclopedia of herbs, this grass is described as a herb of special importance and a very good and productive grass. It has been used only as a herb since ancient civilizations (especially the Greek civilization). Although it has been fed to livestock for centuries, it has only been recognized as a productive and nutritious grass since the beginning of the twentieth century. This grass can also be used in gardens. It is also used to make very good quality compost fertilizer in countries such as Europe, America, Australia, etc.
Its leaves are crushed with a stone etc. for three to four weeks and then immersed in water, which decomposes. The thick, hard water thus prepared is mixed with other types of plain water and sprayed on crops as a liquid organic fertilizer. This supplies nitrogen, potassium and many minerals to the crops.
In some countries, people with broken bones also drink tea made from its leaves for a few days. Its roots have a sap. Which is slippery. It becomes like gum when heated. In addition to the leaves, this gum-like substance is used as a medicine for wounds and diarrhea, etc. The leaves are sometimes used as tea (green tea) and salad.
Very useful for cattle, goats and especially chickens, some researchers from abroad, including the Nepal Agricultural Research Council, claim that when its fresh grass is mixed with 20 percent of the chicken diet, it does not have any negative effect on the growth and development of chickens.
The leaves of this grass can also be dried and used in the feed of cattle, goats, goats and chickens. Its leaves also contain a significant amount of microminerals. Since its leaves contain very little fiber and contain up to 25 percent crude protein on a dry matter basis, it is considered very useful for chickens and pigs. Chickens and pigs can easily digest this grass if given up to 20 percent of the total diet. It is not good to raise chickens based on this alone.
This can negatively affect the health of the chickens. As the saying goes, too much of anything is harmful, so this grass should not be used too much. Generally, giving comfrey up to 20 percent of the total diet does not have any negative effects on chickens, pigs and other livestock. On the contrary, experienced farmers and researchers from almost all countries have agreed that it significantly reduces the cost of feed.
Varieties:
The sterile varieties of Russian comfrey called Boking-4 and Boking-14 are popular. These varieties with sterile seeds do not spread unnecessarily everywhere and kill other plants. Among these, the variety Boking-14 is even more popular. All species can tolerate partial shade. It is also known as an ornamental plant because of its beautiful leaves and flowers.
Soil, climate and cultivation method:
It can be planted in many types of soil. Soil that is too waterlogged is not suitable for it. Since the roots go deep down and absorb water and nutrients, it also has the property of being drought-tolerant. It can be easily propagated through root cuttings or root cuttings. Although it can also be propagated from seeds, it takes time for the seeds to germinate due to its dormant state. Therefore, it is better to propagate by separating the cuttings from the cuttings (root cuttings or slips).
When propagated from seeds, its seeds have a germination rate of about 60 percent. Even among the numbers, only at least half of the plants can be successfully established. Once established, the plants can be easily and very quickly propagated through cuttings or cuttings. Since it easily establishes itself by overcoming other grasses, it is propagated carefully to see if its spread affects other crops. Therefore, although it is easier to propagate from cuttings than from seeds, seeds can also be a good option depending on the situation, as the seeds can be easily transported to very distant geographical areas.
This grass should be selected by keeping a row distance of up to three feet, and a distance of 50 cm between plants, depending on the fertility of the land. If planted in this way, it will establish quickly. Once established, depending on the condition, three to five cuttings can be taken per year. Land that has been properly cultivated, removed from rocky soil and weeds, and has plenty of moisture is good for its cultivation.
Grass production:
If it is cultivated properly, more than two hundred metric tons of fresh grass can be easily obtained from one hectare of land. Although it can be harvested three to five times annually, cuttings are not taken as its growth slows down during winter and drought. In places where our country has a weather-based farming system, it can be cut on average three times.
Toxicity or medicinal properties:
This grass contains a type of substance called allantoin in small quantities. Research has indicated that this causes the growth of the colon and it heals wounds rapidly. This substance is also used in some beauty products. According to some research conducted on mice, this substance is suspected to be a suspicious substance that can cause liver damage and even tumor growth in the liver, so although it is said to be safe to use on external organs, it is not recommended for use as a medicine on internal organs. Therefore, in some places, farmers also feed it to animals in small quantities, believing that it affects the liver.
The US FDA has stated that people should be careful in using it for this reason. There is no evidence that it should not be used in animals. People also occasionally make tea from its leaves as medicine and use it. This is also why its use as an herb is not as widespread as it is said to be in some countries. But rumors have played a more important role than facts in such matters.
Therefore, no official researcher or regulatory body of any country has mentioned that it is unsafe for feeding as animal feed. Comfrey is currently a multipurpose and popular grass and herb in most countries of the world. However, as mentioned above, livestock should not be allowed to rely solely on it. It should only be given in combination with other grasses.