Evaluation of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) Varieties for Fodder and Seed Production

Three varieties of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) seeds viz., JHB-146, Wardan and Hybrid were sown in first week of November with seed rate of 20 kg/ha in line with distance of 15 cm. Fodder was harvested three and/or four times at 55, 90, 110 and/or 130 days of crop duration. Irrigation with top dressing of urea @ 60 kg/ha was provided after each harvest. Finally crop was harvested at 160 days of crop duration to record the total biomass and seed yield. The maximum (P<0.01) cumulative fodder yield was recorded from Wardan variety irrespective of total numbers of cuttings. The highest berseem seed yield was recorded in Wardan variety after third cut of fodder in March first week than JHB-146 and Hybrid berseem variety. However, seed yield reduced at forth cut of last week of March. Hence, berseem fodder could be harvested only thrice and then left for maximum seed yield. However, reasonably good seed yield could be harvested from Wardan berseem variety even after forth cut of fodder in last week of March.