Effect of Seeding Rate on the Quantitative and Qualitative Performance of Forage in Intercropping Systems of Persian Clover  (Trifolium resupinatum) and Crimson Clover (T. incarnatum)

Zamanian, Mohammad; Golzardi, Farid; Heydarzadeh, Saeid; Alizadeh, Behzad

doi:10.22059/jci.2024.370971.2872

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Research Associate Professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

² Research Assistant Professor, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

³ PhD of Agronomy, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

⁴ Researcher, Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran

10.22059/jci.2024.370971.2872

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the possibility of increasing the clover forage yield and quality by changing the seeding rate in monoculture and intercropping systems of Persian clover and crimson clover.
Methods: This research was conducted in a factorial arrangement using a randomized complete block statistical design with three replications at the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute in Karaj, Iran, during the cropping seasons 2021-22 and 2022-23. Experimental treatments involved five cropping systems (Persian clover monoculture, crimson clover monoculture, and different intercropping systems of these two species: 25% Persian clover+ 75% crimson clover, 50% Persian clover+ 50% crimson clover, and 75% Persian clover+ 25% crimson clover). Two seeding rates, 20 and 25 kg ha^-1, were also examined. The evaluated traits comprised dry forage yield, plant height, and ten characteristics related to the nutritional value of the forage.
Results: The results showed that forage yield and quality of clover were significantly affected by cropping system and seeding rate. In general, monoculture systems and seeding rate of 25 kg ha^-1 had higher quantitative yield, whereas intercropping systems and seeding rate of 20 kg ha^-1 had higher forage quality. The highest dry forage yield was obtained in the monoculture cropping systems of crimson clover with seeding rates of 25 and 20 kg ha^-1, and in the monoculture cropping system of Persian clover with a seeding rate of 25 kg ha^-1, producing 4.24, 3.93, and 3.73 tons of dry matter per hectare, respectively. The intercropping system of 50% Persian clover+ 50% crimson clover significantly increased the relative feed value of forage compared to monoculture systems, and the seeding rate of 20 kg ha^-1 with a feed value of 162% improved the superiority of this cropping system. Monoculture of crimson clover at both seeding rates and monoculture of Persian clover at the seeding rate of 25 kg ha^-1 were in the superior statistical group in terms of total dry forage yield.
Conclusion: Monoculture of crimson clover with a seeding rate of 25 kg ha^-1 had higher quantitative yield, whereas intercropping of 50% Persian clover+ 50% crimson clover with a seeding rate of 20 kg ha^-1 had higher forage quality. In the current conditions where forage quality plays no role in determining its purchase price, monoculture of crimson clover would be more profitable for farmers. However, intercropping of 50% Persian clover+ 50% crimson clover could be beneficial for farmer-livestock producers in enhancing dairy production.

Keywords

References

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Effect of Seeding Rate on the Quantitative and Qualitative Performance of Forage in Intercropping Systems of Persian Clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and Crimson Clover (T. incarnatum)

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Volume 26, Issue 4January 2025Pages 769-786

Volume 26, Issue 4
January 2025
Pages 769-786