Skip to main navigation menu Skip to main content Skip to site footer
Plant Science Today (PST)

Research Articles

Vol. 12 No. 2 (2025)

Impacts of phosphorous and zinc under different nutrient management strategies on the performance of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) diploid varieties: A comparative yield and economic analysis

DOI
https://doi.org/10.14719/pst.3605
Submitted
26 March 2024
Published
30-03-2025 — Updated on 23-04-2025
Versions

Abstract

Identifying a high-yielding and economically advantageous berseem variety, along with optimal nutrient management strategies, is crucial for maximizing fodder and forage crops productivity and profitability. To accomplish these objectives, a field experiment was carried out in a split-plot design during the rabi season of 2022-2023. The main plot accommodated two different berseem varieties (BL-42 and Mescavi). The subplot consisted of nine different nutrient combinations: Control, 100% recommended dose of phosphorus (RDP), 100% recommended dose of zinc (RDZn), 100% RDP + one Nano spray (P), 75% RDP + two Nano spray (P,) 50% RDP + three Nano spray (P), 100% RDZn + zinc solubilizing bacteria (ZnSB), 75% RDZn + ZnSB, and 50% RDZn + ZnSB. The study assessed the effects of phosphorus and zinc nutrient management on the physiological and morphological responses, yield attributes, and economic attributes of various berseem cultivars. The results revealed that the Mescavi variety outperformed the BL-42 variety regarding physiological growth and biomass yield. The Mescavi exhibited an 18% increase in green fodder output and a 24% increase in dry matter yield compared to the BL-42 variety. In addition, applying 100% RDP+ one Nano spray (P) resulted in a substantial increase of 144% in green fodder production and 330% in dry matter yield compared to the control treatment. Mescavi yielded a gross return of 32793 ? ha-1 and a net return of 19985 ? ha-1 compared to the BL-42 variety, with a gross and net return of 27635 ? ha-1 and 14827 ? ha-1, respectively. The treatment comprising of 100% RDP + one Nano spray (P) resulted in the highest gross and net return (37866.67 and 23666.67 ? ha-1, respectively) as compared to the control treatment (15512.44 and 4296.94 ? ha-1, respectively). The notable differences in output and returns confirmed the effectiveness of specific agronomic approaches in enhancing the profitability and sustainability of fodder farming.

References

  1. Koli P, Bhardwaj NR. Status and use of pesticides in forage crops in India. Pestic Sci. 2018;43(4):225–32. https://doi.org/10.1584/jpestics.D18-004
  2. Kumar S, Singh P, Devi U, Yathish KR, Saujanya PL, Kumar R, Mahanta SK. An overview of the current fodder scenario and the potential for improving fodder productivity through genetic interventions in India. Anim Nutr Technol. 2023;23(3):631?44. https://doi.org/10.5958/0974-181X.2023.00054.9
  3. Anonymous. Data-agricultural land (% of land area). The World Bank; 2019. https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ag.lnd.agri.zs 15.12.2024
  4. Zayed EM, Metwali EM, Khafaga AF, Azab MM. Field performance of commercial Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) cultivars under high temperature condition. Range Manag Agrofor. 2011;32(2):87?91.
  5. Bhardwaj NR, Rana M, Koli P, Kaldate R, Roy AK, Chandra A. Rhizospheric Trichoderma harzianum TBR-7 in combination with chitosan for eco-friendly management of crown rot disease in Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). European Plant Pathol J. 2023;167(4):677?98. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10658-023-02709-9
  6. Shahrajabian MH, Khoshkharam M, Sun W, Cheng Q. Exploring responses of berseem clover cultivars in low input cultivation management for agricultural sustainability. World Scientific News. 2019;(131):197?206.
  7. Kumawat SM, Khinchi VI. Effect of phosphorus levels on forage yield of promising multicut genotypes of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Forage Res. 2017;43(3):223?26.
  8. Kumar N, Satpal NK, Kharor S, Kumar D, Phogat S, Jindal Y. Genotypic response of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) to different phosphorus levels. Forage Res. 2021;47(3):329?33.
  9. Vimal K, Kumawat SM. Effect of nitrogen and zinc levels on yield and economics of fodder pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum L.). Forage Res. 2018;43(4):319?21.
  10. Ghimire RP, Devkota NR, Devkota D, Sharma MP. Response of irrigation and plant bio-regulators spray on seed yield and quality of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). J Agri and Forestry University. 2019;3:151.
  11. Dinesh R, Srinivasan V, Hamza S, Sarathambal C, Gowda SA, Ganeshamurthy AN, et al. Isolation and characterization of potential Zn solubilizing bacteria from soil and its effects on soil Zn release rates, soil available Zn and plant Zn content. Geoderma. 2018;321:173?86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.02.013
  12. Samanta S, Kumar S, Kumar R, Maity N, Sharma S, Fayaz S, Bhaumik S. Effect of phosphorus and zinc on fodder yield and quality of leguminous fodder: Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Intern J Environ and Climate Change. 2023 Aug 26;13(10):1209?21. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2023/v13i102773
  13. Chintapalli B, Biyan SC, Dhuppar P, Rao DS. Studies on the potential of integrated nutrient management for improving the vegetative and reproductive performance of berseem crop. Forage Res. 2012;37:248?50.
  14. Jabbar A, Iqbal A, Iqbal MA, Sheikh UA, Rahim J, Khalid S, et al. Egyptian Clover Genotypic divergence and last cutting management augment nutritive quality, seed yield and milk productivity. Sustain. 2022;14(10):5833. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14105833
  15. Piper CS. Soil and plant analysis. Scientific Publishers; 2019
  16. Jackson M. Soil chemical analysis prentice Hall. Inc., Englewood Cliffs, NJ. 1958;498(1958):183?204.
  17. Subbiah BV, Asija GL. A rapid procedure for the estimation of available nitrogen in soils. Curr Sci. 1956;25(8):259?60. https://www.currentscience.ac.in/Volumes/25/08/0259.pdf
  18. Olsen SR. Estimation of available phosphorus in soils by extraction with sodium bicarbonate. US Department of Agriculture; 1954
  19. Wl L. Development of a DTPA soil test for zinc, iron, manganese and copper. Soil Sci Soc Am J. 1978;42:421?28. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1978.03615995004200030009x
  20. Iannucci A. Effects of harvest management on growth dynamics, forage and seed yield in berseem clover. European J Agron. 2001;14(4):303?14. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1161-0301(01)00093-4
  21. Fisher DS, Burns JC. Quality analysis of summer?annual forages. I. Sample preparation methods and chemical characterization of forage types and cultivars 1. Agron J. 1987;79(2):236?42. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj1987.00021962007900020013x
  22. Govindasamy P, Singh V, Palsaniya DR, Srinivasan R, Chaudhary M, Kantwa SR. Herbicide effect on weed control, soil health parameters and yield of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Crop Prot. 2021;139:105389. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2020.105389
  23. Capstaff NM, Miller AJ. Improving the yield and nutritional quality of forage crops. Front in Plant Sci. 2018;24(9):338501. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2018.00535
  24. Nelson C, Moser LE. Plant factors affecting forage quality. In: Fahey G, Collins CJ, Mertens DR, Moser LE, editors. Forage quality, evaluation and utilization. Madison, WI: American Society for Soil Sci; 1994. 115–54 doi: 10.2134/1994. Forage quality .c3.
  25. Moore KJ, Lenssen AW, Fales SL. Factors affecting forage quality. Forages: The Sci of Grassland Agri. 2020;2:701?17. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119436669.ch39
  26. Bacchi M, Monti M, Calvi A, Lo Presti E, Pellicanò A, Preiti G. Forage potential of cereal/legume intercrops: Agronomic performances, yield, quality forage and LER in two harvesting times in a Mediterranean environment. Agron. 2021;11(1):121. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11010121
  27. Awadalla H, Ismail S, Abd-El-Hafeez AM. Effect of nitrogen, phosphorus and zinc fertilization on yield, quality and nutrients uptake of berseem-barley mixture. Fayoum J Agric Res Dev . 2012;26(2):30?44. https://doi.org/10.21608/fjard.2012.194693
  28. Singh DI, Choudhary AL, Uikey V. Comparative analysis of exotic and notified berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) varieties for fodder, quality and nutrients uptake. Forage Res. 2020;46(2):168?75.
  29. Kumari K. Yield, quality and nutrient uptake of rabi fodder crops in response to zinc. Ann Plant and Soil Res. 2017;19(2):219?22.
  30. Chaichi MR, Shabani G, Noori F. Response of berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) to chemical, biological and integrated use of fertilizers. Cercet?ri Agrono în Moldova. 2015;48(1):77?87. https://repository.uaiasi.ro/xmlui/handle/20.500.12811/1510
  31. Farooq MS, Pervez A, Razzaq A, Ibrar M, Basit A, Akhtar MS, Hanif MS. Effect of foliar spray of potash on economic seed production of berseem. Plant Protect. 2017;1(2):75?78.
  32. Sindhu SS, Sharma R, Sindhu S, Phour M. Plant nutrient management through inoculation of zinc-solubilizing bacteria for sustainable agriculture. Biofertilizers for Sustain Agri and Environ. 2019;173?201. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-18933-4_8
  33. Sofi PA, Rehman K, Gull M, Kumari J, Djanaguiraman M, Prasad PV. Integrating root architecture and physiological approaches for improving drought tolerance in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.). Plant Physiol Rep. 2021;26:4?22. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40502-021-00570-8
  34. Kebede G, Worku W, Feyissa F, Jifar H. Genotype by environment interaction for agro-morphological traits and herbage nutritive values and fodder yield stability in oat (Avena sativa L.) using AMMI analysis in Ethiopia. J Agric Food Res. 2023;14:100862.
  35. Khan F, Siddique AB, Shabala S, Zhou M, Zhao C. Phosphorus plays key roles in regulating plants’ physiological responses to abiotic stresses. Plants. 2023;12(15):2861. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants12152861
  36. Mitran T, Meena RS, Lal R, Layek J, Kumar S, Datta R. Role of soil phosphorus on legume production. Legumes for Soil Health and Sustain Manage. 2018;487?510. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-0253-4_15
  37. Akram MI, Akhtar LH, Minhas R, Zubair M, Bukhari MS, Ullah R, et al. Enhancing seed and fodder yield potential of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L) with combined application phosphorous and potassium under irrigated conditions of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. Egypt J Agron. 2022;44(1):1?9. https://doi.org/10.21608/agro.2022.99606.1282
  38. Ansari MH, Ghadimi S. Effect of phosphate fertilizer on quality and quantity of berseem clover forage under Pseudomonas strains inoculations. Intern J Biosci. 2015;6(3):162?71. http://dx.doi.org/10.12692/ijb/6.3.162-171
  39. Leghari SJ, Soomro AA, Laghari GM, Talpur KH, Soomro FA, Mangi MH, Mahmood N. Effect of NPK rates and irrigation frequencies on the growth and yield performance of Trifolium alexandrium L. AIMS Agri and Food. 2018;3(4):397?405. https://doi.org/10.3934/agrfood.2018.4.397
  40. Roy DC, Jana K. Biomass production and quality of berseem fodder (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) as influenced by application of phosphorus and phosphate solubilizing bacteria. Adv Life Sci. 2016;5:1225?29.
  41. Nand V, Gupta RK, Yadav RS, Singh KD, Yadav RK, Srivastav AK. Impact of integrated nutrient management (INM) on growth of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) at various cutting stages. J Pharmacogn and Phytochem. 2018;7(4S):254?58. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.34927.07842
  42. Rangaswamy N, Kavitha P, Naidu M, Reddy UVB. Yield and Zn uptake of maize (Zea mays L.) as influenced by Zn-enriched FYM, zinc solubilizer and chemical fertilizers. J Ind Soc Coastal Agric Res. 2023;41(2):120?27. https://doi.org/10.54894/ JISCAR. 41.2. 2023.135567
  43. Gaur M, Singh V, Singh UN. Soil zinc Status and response of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) and lentil (Lens culinaris) to zinc application. Ann Plant and Soil Res. 2018;20:35?38.
  44. Kumar B, Ram H, Sarlach RS. Enhancing seed yield and quality of Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) with foliar application of bio-regulators. Field Crops Res. 2013;146:25?30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2013.03.004
  45. Amato G, Giambalvo D, Ruisi P. Cut and post?cut herbage management affects berseem clover seed yield. Agron J. 2013105(4):1222?30. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2013.0038
  46. Zakirullah M, Innayat S, Jan T, Arif M, Ali M, Alam M. The effect of different levels of amino acid and zinc on the quality and quantity of Berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum). Asian J Agric Biol. 2018;6(3):379?84. http://ebooks.manu2sent.com/id/eprint/165
  47. El-Naby A, Sakr HO. Influence of ecological factors on seed setting and fertility of five Egyptian clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) cultivars. Asian J Plant Sci Res. 2011;2:388–95.
  48. Chouhan S, Ausari PK, Sharma BK, Nayak MP, Para PK. Effect of phosphorous levels and phosphorous solubilizing bacteria (psb) on growth, quality parameters and profitability of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.). Int J Environ Clim Change. 2022;12(11):2245?52. https://doi.org/10.9734/ijecc/2022/v12i1131218
  49. Arif M, Kumar A, Pourouchottamane R, Gupta DL, Rai B. Assessment of forage berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) for productivity and profitability under varying seed rates and phosphorus fertilization. J Crop and Weed Sci. 2022;18(3):19?25. https://doi.org/10.22271/09746315.2022.v18.i3.1611
  50. Dhaka AK, Kamboj NK, Kumar S, Bhuker A, Verma G, Prakriti. Efficacy of plant growth regulators on productivity, quality and profitability of berseem (Trifolium alexandrium). Ind J Agron. 2022;67(2):186?91. https://doi.org/10.59797/ija.v67i2.117

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.