Effect of Planting Dates and Seeding Rates on Silage Production and Quality of Egyptian Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.)

• Nadhim Abdul Razzaq Merza

  Author

A field experiment was conducted in Karbala city during the 2025–2026 season to study the effect of four planting dates for Egyptian Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) specifically September 25, October 10, October 25, and November 10 and three seeding rates (20, 30, and 40 kg.ha^-1) on green forage yield and silage quality. The experiment was laid out as a factorial trial using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replicates. The results showed that the November 10 planting date excelled on the others, producing the highest total green forage yield (74.11 ton.ha^-1). The first planting date (September 25) gave the highest crude protein percentage in the silage (12.48%).and the  first planting date excelled in terms of soluble carbohydrate percentage in the silage, with an average of 39.34%, and  produced the optimal pH for silage making (3.90). The seeding rate of 40 kg.ha^-1 resulted in the highest total green forage yield (62.72 ton.ha^-1); however, seeding rates did not show a significant effect on silage protein percentage or pH.

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