Comparative performance of sole and intercrop of oat (Avena sativa) and Persian clover (Trifolium resupinatum) under alkali water irrigation

A field experiment was conducted during the winter (rabi) seasons 2002–03 and 2003–04 to study the performance of sole and intercrop of oat (Avena sativa L.) and Persian clover or shaftal (Trifolium resupinatum L.) under alkali water irrigation. Application of gypsum 2 tonnes/ha significantly enhanced the green forage yield in all the cuts and total yield over no-gypsum treatment. Sole crop of Persian clover (95.7 tonnes/ha) gave significantly higher total green forage yield than oat (45.4 tonnes/ha). The yield of Persian clover was significantly improved in the first cut when grown in association with oat at different ratios. Higher green forage yield per day was obtained when oat was harvested for 1 cut only at 75 days than Persian clover and its mixtures. Application of gypsum improved the crude protein and calcium content of crops. Persian clover alone showed significantly higher concentration of N (crude protein), Na, Ca, Mg and P, while in oat only the K concentration was higher. Further, there was significant increase in the K content and decrease in Na content of Persian clover when grown in association with oat in different ratios.