1Contribution from the Division of Agronomy, Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110012.
Field trials were conducted in rati 1974–75 and 1975–76 to determine the stimula-tory effects of sub-lethal doses of simazine on forage production in a deploid variety of berseem (Trtfolium resupinatum complete were of berseem). In these experiments simazine was applied at 0.25, 0.125, and 0.062 kg/ha before and after the first cut of fodder. In another treatment a repeat application of simazine at 0.125 kg/ha after the first and second cuts was included. Immediately after simazine application, a light irrigation was given to leach the chemical for absorption by berseem roots.
In both years, the green fodder production was significantly enhanced by a single application of simazine at 0.062 kg/ha after the first cut. Substantial enhancement also occurred at 0.125 and 0.062 kg/ha simazine application before the first cut.
The stimulation in forage production was seen between the second and third cuts. Repeat application of simazine at 0.125 kg/ha after the first and second cuts depressed the fodder yield. There was very little simazine residue in the forage samples collected from the plots which received the highest dose of simazine.
