Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Changes in qualitative characteristics and yield of three cultivars of berseem clover intercropped with forage corn in low input farming system

Author(s):

Ali Soleymani ^1*, Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian ², Lila Naranjani ³

Recieved Date: 2010-10-20, Accepted Date: 2011-01-09

Abstract:

Sustainability of Iran agriculture may require change from predominant application of high amount of nitrogen fertilizers. In order to investigate the changes of yield and yield components of three cultivars of berseem clover as cover crops intercropped with forage corn in different levels of nitrogen starter fertilizer, an experiment was conducted in 2010, at Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Khorasgan Branch (Isfahan). A factorial layout within randomized complete block design with 3 replications was used. Cultivars were Karaj, Sacromont and Multicut, and nitrogen levels included 0, 40 and 60 kg/ha. The nitrogen fertilizer was provided from urea source (46% pure N). Berssem cultivars were cultivated between rows of forage corn. Cultivar had significant effect on plant height, nitrate and phosphorus content. Nitrogen fertilizer had significant influence on plant height, total fresh yield, nitrate and phosphorus content. Nitrate and phosphorus content were significantly influenced by interaction between cultivar and nitrogen. The highest plant height, total fresh yield, phosphorus and potassium content were related to Multicut. The maximum nitrate content was also obtained by Multicut, but the highest protein and organic matter was related to Karaj. The highest plant height, total fresh yield, phosphorus and potassium content were related to Multicut. The maximum nitrate content was also obtained by Multicut, but the highest protein and organic matter content was related to Karaj. The maximum plant height, total fresh yield, total dry yield, protein content and potassium percentage were related to application of 60 kg N/ha. The highest nitrate content was also obtained by this treatment. The maximum phosphorus percentage and organic matter content were related to application 40 kg N/ha and no application of nitrogen fertilizer, respectively, but we can use 40 kg N/ha instead of 60 kg N/ha in low input farming system to reduce cost and nitrate content in plant.

Keywords:

Berseem clover, qualitative characteristics, cultivars, intercropping, low-input farming

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2011
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 345-347

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