Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate

The seeding rate holds the potential to enhance crop nutritional value; however, its impact on the forage quality of clover remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to assess the impact of various cropping patterns and seeding rates on the forage yield and quality of Persian clover (Trifolium...

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Main Authors: Mohammad Zamanian, Farid Golzardi, Harun Gitari, Emmanuely Nungula, Foroud Salehi, Saeid Heydarzadeh
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2024-12-01
Series:Cogent Food & Agriculture
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2410459
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author Mohammad Zamanian
Farid Golzardi
Harun Gitari
Emmanuely Nungula
Foroud Salehi
Saeid Heydarzadeh
author_facet Mohammad Zamanian
Farid Golzardi
Harun Gitari
Emmanuely Nungula
Foroud Salehi
Saeid Heydarzadeh
author_sort Mohammad Zamanian
collection DOAJ
description The seeding rate holds the potential to enhance crop nutritional value; however, its impact on the forage quality of clover remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to assess the impact of various cropping patterns and seeding rates on the forage yield and quality of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) and crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.). A factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and three replications across two regions in Iran—Karaj and Shahrekord—over two cropping seasons (2020–2022). The experimental setup included five cropping patterns: Persian clover monoculture (PC100%), crimson clover monoculture (CC100%), and three replacement intercropping patterns: PC25%–CC75%, PC50%–CC50%, and PC75%–CC25%. Each pattern was evaluated at two seeding rates: 20 and 25 kg ha−1 (SR20 and SR25, respectively). The results indicated that the highest crude protein yield was observed in crimson clover monoculture at SR25 (1.03 Mg ha−1), followed by the PC25%–CC75% intercropping system at SR20 (1.00 Mg ha−1), both in Shahrekord during the second year. Additionally, the Persian clover monoculture at SR25 and the PC25%–CC75% intercropping system at SR20 in Karaj, as well as crimson clover monoculture at SR25 and the same intercropping system in Shahrekord, produced the highest crude protein yields. Furthermore, the PC50%–CC50% pattern at SR20 exhibited the highest forage quality for both species. Based on the findings, the PC25%–CC75% intercropping system with SR20 is recommended to farmers for enhancing forage productivity and quality in sustainable agricultural practices.
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spelling doaj-art-5cfa7cc6edeb42d18480d6abfa7db5912025-08-20T01:58:51ZengTaylor & Francis GroupCogent Food & Agriculture2331-19322024-12-0110110.1080/23311932.2024.2410459Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rateMohammad Zamanian0Farid Golzardi1Harun Gitari2Emmanuely Nungula3Foroud Salehi4Saeid Heydarzadeh5Seed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, IranSeed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, IranDepartment of Agricultural Science and Technology, School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, KenyaDepartment of Environment and Sustainable Development, Mzumbe University, Morogoro, TanzaniaCrop and Horticultural Science Research Department, Isfahan Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, AREEO, Isfahan, IranSeed and Plant Improvement Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, IranThe seeding rate holds the potential to enhance crop nutritional value; however, its impact on the forage quality of clover remains relatively unexplored. This study aimed to assess the impact of various cropping patterns and seeding rates on the forage yield and quality of Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum L.) and crimson clover (T. incarnatum L.). A factorial experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with 10 treatments and three replications across two regions in Iran—Karaj and Shahrekord—over two cropping seasons (2020–2022). The experimental setup included five cropping patterns: Persian clover monoculture (PC100%), crimson clover monoculture (CC100%), and three replacement intercropping patterns: PC25%–CC75%, PC50%–CC50%, and PC75%–CC25%. Each pattern was evaluated at two seeding rates: 20 and 25 kg ha−1 (SR20 and SR25, respectively). The results indicated that the highest crude protein yield was observed in crimson clover monoculture at SR25 (1.03 Mg ha−1), followed by the PC25%–CC75% intercropping system at SR20 (1.00 Mg ha−1), both in Shahrekord during the second year. Additionally, the Persian clover monoculture at SR25 and the PC25%–CC75% intercropping system at SR20 in Karaj, as well as crimson clover monoculture at SR25 and the same intercropping system in Shahrekord, produced the highest crude protein yields. Furthermore, the PC50%–CC50% pattern at SR20 exhibited the highest forage quality for both species. Based on the findings, the PC25%–CC75% intercropping system with SR20 is recommended to farmers for enhancing forage productivity and quality in sustainable agricultural practices.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2410459Forage qualitycrude proteinseeding ratecropping patternenergy for lactationAgronomy
spellingShingle Mohammad Zamanian
Farid Golzardi
Harun Gitari
Emmanuely Nungula
Foroud Salehi
Saeid Heydarzadeh
Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
Cogent Food & Agriculture
Forage quality
crude protein
seeding rate
cropping pattern
energy for lactation
Agronomy
title Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
title_full Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
title_fullStr Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
title_short Enhancing forage nutritional value in Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) and crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum) through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
title_sort enhancing forage nutritional value in persian clover trifolium resupinatum and crimson clover trifolium incarnatum through intercropping and optimized seeding rate
topic Forage quality
crude protein
seeding rate
cropping pattern
energy for lactation
Agronomy
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/23311932.2024.2410459
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