Abstract:
To evaluate the effect of
different fertilizer types on the vegetative
growth characteristics, yield and forage
quality of berseem clover (Trifolium
alexandrinum), the present experiment was
conducted in Mahidasht Agriculture and
Natural Resources Research Station
(Kermanshah, Iran), during 2011 and 2012
growing seasons. The experimental
treatments consisted of control (no
fertilizer), chemical fertilizer, biological
fertilizer and different combinations of
chemical and biological fertilizing systems.
A complete randomized block design with
three replicates was employed for analysis
of the data for each year. A combined
analysis of variance was conducted to
compare the data from the two years of the
experiment. The results showed that the
highest forage yield (172.1 g/m2) was
produced in integrated fertilizer application
(urea chemical fertilizer + mycorrhiza
treatment). The highest crude protein
content of 25% was obtained from
integrated biological fertilizer treatment
(nitrogen-fixing bacteria + phosphorussolubilizing
bacteria treatment). The
superiority of integrated fertilizer
application for higher forage production and
biological fertilizer application for higher
forage quality in berseem clover could be
recommended by the results of this
experiment. Application of integrated
fertilizing treatments not only optimized the
chemical fertilizer application (consequently
reducing the environmental pollutions), but
it also enhanced forage quality in terms of
higher macro a micronutrients
concentrations. According to the results of
this study it could be concluded that
integrated fertilizing treatments may be
accounted more efficient in dry farming
than in irrigated agroecosystems.
