Evaluation of herbage yield and quality in varieties of red clover cultivated in rangelands of Mazandaran province, Iran

In order to study on the variation of forage yield and quality traits among seven accessions of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), an experiment was conducted using a randomized complete block design with three replications in rangelands of Mazandaran province, Iran, in three consecutive years (2003-2005). The data were collected for persistency, growth type and dry matter yield. Seven quality traits including crude protein (CP), dry matter digestibility (DMD), water soluble carbohydrates (WSC), crude fiber (CF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and total ash were estimated using NIR methods. DMD-yield, WSC-yield and CP-yield were also estimated. Data were analyzed for each year and were combined over years. The means of treatments were comprised using Duncan¢s multiple range test. Results showed that the forage production of accessions 618, 1753 and 324 in each year and the mean of two years were higher as compared to other accessions. As a result, these accessions had higher forage yield, quality and persistency and they were suggested for cultivation in northern Alborz rangelands. Among them, the accession 1753, originated from Urmia, with prostrate growth habit was recognized as the best one for pasture regeneration in northern Alborz rangelands.