Appropriate Fodder Last Cut Date to Enhance Forage, Seed Production and Benefit Cost Ratio of Alfalfa Crop

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) due to its palatable, nutritious and multicut nature achieved most importance in forage crops. In Pakistan, the demand of alfalfa fodder and grain is increasing day by day, present scientific research was conducted to observe the impact of last forage cut date on fresh forage and grain yield with maximum income and benefit cost ratio (BCR) of “Sargodha Lucern, 2002” alfalfa cultivar. The research trial was cultivated at research area of FRI (Fodder Research Institute) Sargodha, Pakistan during 2016-17 and 2017-18. Nine alfalfa last forage cutting dates 1^st March, 10^th March, 20^th March, 30^th March, 10^th April, 20^th April, 30^th April, 10^th May and 20^th May were randomized in RCBD (Randomized Complete Block Design) having four replicates. The findings indicated statistically considerable differences in forage, grain production and components of yield with gross income and benefit cost ratio. It is concluded that both fodder and grain yield enhanced upto last forage cut date 20^th April. After that seed yield reduced for each cut and fodder yield enhanced continuously upto last fodder cut date 20^th May. Last cut date (20^th May) for fodder produced statistically higher forage yield (54.5 t ha^-1) and seed tonnage (229.75 kg ha^-1). Lowest forage yield (20.5 t ha^-1) was observed in 1^st March last cut date. Maximum seed tonnage was obtained by 20^th April last cut date with maximum net return (Rs. 452500) and BCR (3.66). As considering yield components, when fodder last cut was taken on 20^th April, alfalfa cultivar Sargodha Lucern, 2002 produced significantly maximum pods per raceme (58.25), 1000 grain weight (2.11 g), number of raceme (285.75 m^-2), seed per pod (3.91) and also average grain tonnage (298.75 kg ha^-1). It was considered that Sargodha Lucern, 2002 produced higher grain yield with higher income return when fodder last cutting was taken on 10^th to 20^th April and also temperature remained between minimum 17^°C to maximum 40^°C with relative humidity below 50%.