Abstract
A field study was conducted on smallholder farmer fields between 2012 to 2014 to evaluate the performance of cv. Agaitti Berseem-2002, against local landraces exchanged between farmers (LBF1) or available from local markets (LBM1). The effects of genotype and harvesting regimen on forage production, quality and seed production were evaluated. Significant differences (P < 0.05) among genotypes and cutting treatments were recorded for forage and seed yields, and forage quality across all research sites in both years. Maximum cumulative fresh forage (89.7 t/ha) and dry matter (DM; 13.4 t/ha) yields were obtained with Agaitti Berseem-2002 when harvesting occurred five times over the season. However, maximum seed yield (1048 kg/ha) with higher 1000-seed weight (3.63 g) were obtained if forage was only harvested three times and the crop then left for seed set. Agaitti Berseem-2002 also produced forage with the higher crude protein content (27%), DM digestibility (69%), digestible organic matter (DM basis; 65%) and metabolizable energy content (10%) compared to the local landraces (LBF1 and LBM1). Therefore, the harvesting regimen for greatest economic return which produced optimum fresh and DM forage yields of highest nutritive values and maximum seed yield, were comprised of taking three forage cuts (at 65, 110 and 150 days after sowing) prior to seed harvest.
Highlights
A field study was conducted on smallholder farmer fields between 2012 to 2014 to evaluate the performance of cv
Seed genotypes were: (1) a landrace produced by local farmers (LBF1) retained on-farm, (2) a landrace (LBM1) sold locally in the agricultural market and (3) Agaitti Berseem-2002, an improved variety bred at the Fodder Research Institute (FRI), Sargodha-Pakistan
In all genotypes and years of this experiment, cumulative dry forage biomass levels increased with each subsequent cut, with the highest dry matter (DM) yield being achieved with Agaitti Berseem-2002 (13.4 t/ha), which was 46% higher than LBF1 and 30% higher than LBM1
Summary
A field study was conducted on smallholder farmer fields between 2012 to 2014 to evaluate the performance of cv. The effects of genotype and harvesting regimen on forage production, quality and seed production were evaluated. Maximum cumulative fresh forage (89.7 t/ha) and dry matter (DM; 13.4 t/ha) yields were obtained with Agaitti Berseem-2002 when harvesting occurred five times over the season. Smallholder farmers perceive that these feed gaps could be filled by increasing forage production per unit area, through the use of improved varieties, appropriate agronomic practices and timely availability of required inputs[4]. There are different yield components attributed towards berseem crop yield but the genotype and harvesting management are the key factors in obtaining quality forage and seed yields[7,8]. The participatory approach has been shown to be a workable strategy in quality forage and seed production, and dissemination of the best improved varieties in Punjab, Pakistan[10]. The participatory research approach is demand driven and has benefits related to the adoption of new improved varieties
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