Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
Abstract
7 accessions of white clover (Trifolium repense L.) were evaluated in view of forage yield and quality traits in rangelands of Mazandaran province. A randomized complete blocks design with three replications was applied in three consecutive years (2003-2005). The data were collected for persistency (based on gerund cover) and dry matter yield. Six quality Traits as: crude protein (CP), dry matter digestibility (DMD), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total ash were measured using Near Infrared Reflectance (NIR) technology. DMD-yield, WSC-yield and CP- yield were also calculated based on the equations. In the first year (establishment), no harvest was made, but in the second year the forage yield was harvested. In the third year, the varieties had not enough growth and therefore no harvest was made. Data were analyzed and the means of treatments were compared using Duncan¢s multiple range test. According to the results the most vegetation cover persistency was recorded for Chiftan and Tahora, Aran, Avoca, and Tara were placed in next orders respectively. The highest CP-Yield, DMD-Yield and WSC-yield, were also recorded for the varieties of Aran, Grassland, Tara and Chiftan respectively. Mean comparison of dry matter yield also showed that the varieties of Aran, Grassland, and Tara with an average of 2324, 2005 and 1909 kg ha-1 were classified in similar group and had the highest forage yield. Considering all studied factors together (persistency and forage dry matter, CP, DMD and WSC yield), Aran and Tara were identified as the superior accessions for forage production in summer rangelands of Mazandaran province.
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