Assessment and Comparison of Potential Forage Yield of Red Clover Cultivars

To assess the forage yield potential of some red clover cultivars, an experiment (RCBD) was carried out with six treatments and four replications in Karaj for three years (2003–2005). The results showed that the effects of year, cultivars and year cultivars were significant. Redqueen cultivar with 78.32 th-1 fresh yield and 15.25 th-1 dry matter yield producted the highest yield. Forage yield of red clover cultivars showed a decrease pattern from the first to the third year. The higest forage yield was produced in the first year and the lowest in the third year. Plant height and regrowth rate had different reactions in different cuttings. Kuluobara cultivars with 60.02 cm plant height and 98.86 gm-2 regrowth rate was the best cultivars. All red clover cultivars were susceptible or highly susceptible to powderly midew except Kuluobara that was moderately resistant. Finally, based on the results and findings of the present study, as the forage yield of two cultivar Redqueen and Kuluobara was not significantly different, these two cultivars can be recommended for cultivation in Karaj region.