Fodder yield, seed yield, and nutritional quality as influenced by row spacing and clipping stages of berseem clover under rainfed conditions of Sulaimani Region- Iraq

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of different row spacing and clipping stages on the fodder yield and nutritional quality of Egyptian clover at Kanipanka location of Sulaimani region during the winter season of 2021-2022. The field experiment was laid out in a split-plot design arranged according to RCBD with three replications. Main plots consisted of three row spacings (20, 30, and 40 cm), and three clipping stages (no clip (control), clip at tillering stage, and clip at flowering stage) were executed in subplots. The results showed that the effect of row spacing on green, dry fodder yield, and dry matter% was significant and increased as row spacing was increased; also, biological, pod, and seed yield increased with increasing row spacing. Clipping at the whole flowering stage recorded maximum green, dry fodder yield, and dry matter percentage. No clip gave the most significant values of biological, seed yield, and straw yield, but the highest harvest index was recorded at the tillering stage. The effect of row spacing on nutritional values of berseem clover was significant for all traits except phosphorus%, which was not significant. Maximum percent of protein, fat, ash, and K were exhibited by the treatment of 20cm row spacing, while 40cm row spacing gave a maximum value of fiber%. On the other hand, the clipping stage's effect on nutritional value was significant for all characters except Ca% and P%. Protein, fat, ash, and K recorded the highest percent at the tillering stage, while the maximum fiber percent was obtained when clipped at the whole flowering stage.