Appropriate Fodder Last Cut Date to Enhance Forage, Seed Production and Benefit Cost Ratio of Alfalfa Crop

Muhammad Riaz Gondal, Muhammad Arshad, Waqas Naseem, Muhammad Sultan Ali Bazmi, Anees-Ul-Hasnain Shah, Nauman Ali, Abdul Khaliq, Iftikhar Haider and Muhammad Arif

Journal of Economic Impact, 2022, vol. 4, issue 1, 116-121

Abstract: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) due to its palatable, nutritious and multicut nature achieved most importance in forage crops. In Pakistan, the demand of alfalfa fodder and grain is increasing day by day, present scientific research was conducted to observe the impact of last forage cut date on fresh forage and grain yield with maximum income and benefit cost ratio (BCR) of “Sargodha Lucern, 2002” alfalfa cultivar. The research trial was cultivated at research area of FRI (Fodder Research Institute) Sargodha, Pakistan during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Nine alfalfa last forage cutting dates 1st March, 10th March, 20th March, 30th March, 10th April, 20th April, 30th April, 10th May and 20th May were randomized in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) having four replicates. The findings indicated statistically considerable differences in forage, grain production and components of yield with gross income and benefit cost ratio. It is concluded that both fodder and grain yield enhanced upto last forage cut date 20th April. After that seed yield reduced for each cut and fodder yield enhanced continuously upto last fodder cut date 20th May. Last cut date (20th May) for fodder produced statistically higher forage yield (54.5 t ha-1) and seed tonnage (229.75 kg ha-1). Lowest forage yield (20.5 t ha-1) was observed in 1st March last cut date. Maximum seed tonnage was obtained by 20th April last cut date with maximum net return (Rs. 452500) and BCR (3.66). As considering yield components, when fodder last cut was taken on 20th April, alfalfa cultivar Sargodha Lucern, 2002 produced significantly maximum pods per raceme (58.25), 1000 grain weight (2.11 g), number of raceme (285.75 m-2), seed per pod (3.91) and also average grain tonnage (298.75 kg ha-1). It was considered that Sargodha Lucern, 2002 produced higher grain yield with higher income return when fodder last cutting was taken on 10th to 20th April and also temperature remained between minimum 17°C to maximum 40°C with relative humidity below 50%.

Keywords: Management of cutting date; Yield components; Net return; Alfalfa; Forage; Grain yield (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:adx:journl:v:4:y:2022:i:1:p:116-121

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