THE EFFECT OF PLANT DENSITY ON FORAGE AND SEED YIELDS AND QUALITY OF RED CLOVER (Trifolium pratenseL.)

• Published in: Cereal research communications Vol. 36; pp. 1395 - 1398
• Main Authors: STEVOVIC, Vladeta, STANISAVLJEVIC, Rade, DJUKIC, Dragan, DJUROVIC, Dragan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Akadémiai Kiadó 01-01-2008
• Subjects: Acid soils; Agricultural soils; Clover; Forage; Plant density; Seed production; Seed productivity; Seeds; Sustainable agriculture; Violas
• ISSN: 0133-3720; 1788-9170
• DOI: 10.1556/CRC.36.2008.Suppl.3

The paper presents the plant density effect on the forage yield and quality and seed yield of red clover cultivars over 2002-2004. Four red clover cultivars (K-17, Kolubara, K-32, Viola) grown at inter-row spacings of 20 cm (18kg ha-1seed), 50cm (9 kg ha-1) and 80cm (4.5 kgha-1) were examined. The forage yield and quality were analysed in the second year (the first and the third growths) and in the third year (the first growth). The seed yield determination was made in the first year from the first growth and in the second and third years from the second growth. The red clover cultivars exhibited significant differences in biomass yield. The highest yield was produced with the K-32 and K-17 cultivars in the second and third years, respectively, as a result of their higher yield potential and soil acidity tolerance. The significantly highest forage yield was achieved at the first plant density. The red clover cultivars exhibited significant differences in seed yield, with the highest yield having been produced with the K-17 cultivar. Significantly higher seed yields in the second and third years were attained at inter-row spacings of 20 and 50 cm.