Yield and Forage Quality of Romanian Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) Varieties Studied in Slovakia

Abstract

In the experiment conducted from 2001 to 2003 at the experimental station of SARC-Research Institute of Plant Production in Piešťany, the agronomic and forage quality traits of five diploid Romanian red clover varieties coming from a red clover trial of Slovak and foreign varieties were evaluated. The traits studied were: green matter yield, plant height, regrowth intensity, number of stems, leaf/stem ratio, crude protein, crude fibre, fat and ash contents. Analysis of variance revealed highly significant differences (P < 0.01) among varieties for all agronomic traits except of stem number. Regarding forage quality traits, there were no significant differences between varieties, except in fat contents in the second production year (P<0.05). Cuts revealed a significant source of variation (P < 0.01) for all evaluated traits. The best agronomic performance was found in the first cut and the best forage quality was provided from the second cut. Romanian varieties were comparable with Slovak varieties. Velikan variety showed the best agronomic performance and also good forage quality. Select-1 and Transilvania cultivars exceeded majority Slovak varieties in all agronomic traits. According to PCA crude protein, crude fibre, fat, green matter yield and number of stems appeared to be the major source of variability. Using cluster analysis procedure varieties were classified into six homogeneous groups, based on particular agronomic traits or forage quality parameters.