Optimisation of Sowing Method for Seed Production in Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum)

Abstract

| Berseem, a multi-cut fodder, is the best source of nutrition for animals. Seed is a key to get optimum yield of any crop. There are many factors affecting seed production but the sowing method is a major one. A study to assess the consequence of different sowing methods on seed production of berseem (SB-11) was directed at Fodder Research Institute, Sargodha, Pakistan during 2017-18 and 2018-19. Different sowing methods, broadcast and row spacing of 15cm, 30cm, 45cm, 60cm apart were used. Plant height (cm), number of capsules/m 2 , number of seeds/capsule, 1000-grains weight (g) and seed yield (kg/ha) parameters were studied. It was observed that sowing methods had a significant outcome on seed yield. The results depicted that broadcast sowing gave maximum seed yield of 954 kg ha -1 while the lowest seed yield (789 kg ha -1 ) was recorded in 60 cm row spacing sowing. In nut shell, broadcast method had the highest potential to achieve maximum seed yield in berseem clover. Appropriate sowing method is one of the important components in production technology of any crop. In Pakistan, at farmer level, berseem seed production is less because of non-availability of improved production technology and advance machinery. If results of the present study are made part of recommended production technology of berseem for farmers, it will enhance the seed production of berseem in Pakistan in future.

Achievement of higher biomass, yield and quality of essential oil of Tagetes minuta L. through optimizing the sowing method and seeding rate

“…Seeds sown much deeper usually have a decreased germination rate or decreased emergence of seedlings due to deficiency of O 2 , light, and other factors related to germination (Van Assche and Vanlerberghe, 1989;Vleeshouwers, 1997). In another study, it has been documented that broadcasting SM produces higher yield and yield-related traits of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) compared with row sowing (Jabbar et al, 2022). In the second season, a decreased number of branches per plant was observed with broadcasting SM probably due to a shortage of space for lateral growth, which resulted in increased plant height.…”