Does manipulating harvest regime of single‐cut 'Fahl' berseem clover compensate for reduced seeding rate?

Abstract

AbstractProviding precise information about the variations in yield and quality of single‐cut 'Fahl' berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) in relation to crop's harvest regime and seeding rate would support its optimal utilization in rotation with other crops grown in the Mediterranean environment. Current study investigated the variations in fodder yield and nutritive value of 'Fahl' berseem clover when cut at three harvesting regimes, adjusted in terms of three phenological stages: bud stage (60 days after sowing—DAS), early flowering (75 DAS) and full flowering (90 DAS) under elevated seeding rates (25%, 50%, 75% and 100% of the recommended). When 'Fahl' berseem clover was harvested at bud stage, the use of increased seeding rates was essential for higher fodder yield, while delaying harvesting to early or full flowering provided a good compensation to the reduced seeding rates. The optimal fresh fodder yield was achieved when the crop was cut at early flowering (75 DAS) with 55% seeding rate. Seeding rate had minimal effect on the studied fodder quality parameters, which were significantly variable according to the harvest regime. Late harvests were characterized by higher dry yield, dry matter accumulation, fiber and non‐fiber carbohydrates contents, yet lower crude protein. The highest significant crude protein content was a character of the crop harvested at early flowering (75 DAS) with around 60% seeding rate. In a similar Mediterranean context, 'Fahl' berseem clover can provide reasonable amount of forage of good quality throughout the autumn growth period when harvesting is done at early flowering and seeding rate is reduced to 60% of the recommended.