Productivity and profitability of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) affected under different sowing times and dates of last cutting

A field experiment was carried out at Khalsa College, Amritsar during the winter (rabi) season 2016–17 and 2017–18, to study the effect of different sowing times and dates of last cutting on productivity and profitability of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Forage yield was found maximum (112.9 t/ha) and minimum (75.1 t/ha) under sowing date 10th September (S₁), and 20th October (S₅), respectively, but 20th October (S₅) resulted in 33.0% more seed yield than 10th September (S₁). Under different sowing times, higher cost of cultivation (41.96 x 10³ ₹/ha) and fodder returns (79.64 x 10³₹/ha) were found in 10th September sowing (S₁), but it produced lower seed returns (52.01 x 10³₹/ha). The maximum gross returns (131.65 x 10³₹/ha) were obtained under 10th September (S₁). the highest net returns (91.12 x 10³₹/ha) and benefit: cost ratio (3.32) were recorded under 30th September (S₃) sowing. Among 3 times of last cut, 15th April (C₃) recorded lower seed yield (0.415 t/ha) and straw yield (1.83 t/ha) but higher forage production (102.9 t/ha). Maximum cost of cultivation (40.30 x 10³₹/ha) and fodder returns (67.67 x 10³₹/ha) were found when the last cut was done on 15th April (C₃), which was 15.4% and 12% more than 25th March (C₁). Maximum gross returns (129.23 x 10³₹/ha) and net returns (89.76 x 10³₹/ha) were obtained when the last cut was done on 5th April (C₂). Benefit: cost ratio was found maximum (3.32) when the last cut was done on 25th March (C₁).