The effect of different planting norms on forage yield and silage quality of Alexandria clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) under çukurova conditions

This study was carried out to determine the effect of planting norm on the forage yield, forage and silage quality of Alexandria clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L) under Çukurova conditions. The experiment was established on 2022 planting season in the research field of Eastern Mediterranean Agricultural Research Institute Directorate (DATAEM) in 3 replications. "Derya" variety registered by DATAEM in 2015 was used as plant material. Six different sowing norms (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 kg/ha) were used in the study. Plant height, fresh and hay yields as well as crude protein ratio, crude protein yield, acid detergent lignin (ADL), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and relative feed value (RFV) were determined for Alexandria clover grown at different planting norms. The highest plant height of 97 cm was obtained from the plots where 20 and 25 kg ha -1 seed was applied, the highest fresh yield was obtained from the plot where 25 kg ha -1 seed was applied with 32970 kg ha -1 , and the highest forage yield was obtained from the plot where 30 kg ha -1 seed was applied with 901 kg ha -1 . The highest value in dry matter yield was obtained from 25 kg ha -1 seeded plots with 8230 kg ha -1 and the highest value in crude protein yield was obtained from 30 kg ha -1 seeded plots with 1380 kg ha -1 . NDF ratio in dry grass and ADF, RFV, dry matter digestibility (DMD), dry matter consumption (DMC), values were measured in the range of 44.2-52.1%, 28.2-32.6%, 116- 143%, 64.0-66.9%, 2.35-2.75%, respectively. In the study, dry matter yield, crude protein value, pH, NDF, ADF, DMD, DMC, RFV and ash values obtained from the silage made from Alexandrian clover grown in different planting norms were measured in the range of 90.4- 91.0%, 17.6-20.4%, 4.23-4.64, 41.0-44.0%, 28.82-32.26%, 63.2-66.5%, 2.73-2.93%, 141-150%, 5.97-9.40%, respectively.