Dely Croppings Effect on Forage Yield of Clover Cultivars in Karaj Area

To evaluate the effect of delay croppings on forage yield production of clover cultivars, a field experiment was carried out in split plot (RCBD) with four replications in Karaj during 2010-12. Delay cropping was considered as main plot with three planting dates (15 Sept., 20 Sept. and 13 Oct.) and sub plot was allocated to ten clover cultivar 1. Late maturity Persian clover, 2. Moderately maturity Persian clover, 3. Early maturity Persian clover, 4. One cut Persian clover, 5. Persian clover line 13, 6. Persian clover line 7, 7. Persian clover population, 8. Berseem clover cv. Tolidi- Karaj, 9. Red clover cv. Naseem and 10. Crimson clover cv. Alborz 1. The results of combined analysis of forage yield showed that the effects of year, planting date, cultivar and interaction effects of these factors were significant on dry forage yield. Delay in planting decreased the forage yield of clover cultivars up to 50% in fall and 30% in spring. Mean comparison of spring and fall forage yield showed that spring yield with 2.61 tha-1 had superiority to fall yield with 1.18 tha-1. In the first cutting Persian clover and Crimson clover, in the second cutting Berseem clover, in the third cutting Red clover and in the total cuttings Red clover and Berseem clover with 13.91 tha-1 and 15.53 tha-1 produced the highest dry forage yield. Generally, for forage production in fall and spring, Persian clover on cut cultivar and Crimson clover with about 9 tha-1 and for both seasons Berseem clover, Red clover and Persian clover with 12-13 tha-1 dry forage yield can be recommend for Karaj area.