Assessing Yield, Biomass Production, and Forage Quality of Red Clover (<i>Trifolium pratense</i> L.) in Agroforestry System: One-Year Study in Szarvas, Hungary
Zibuyile Dlamini,
Mihály Jancsó,
Árpád Székely,
Ildikó Kolozsvári,
Norbert Túri,
Beatrix Bakti,
Mihály Zalai,
Ágnes Kun
Affiliations
Zibuyile Dlamini
Doctoral School of Environmental Sciences, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Mihály Jancsó
Research Center for Irrigation and Water Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Anna-liget Str. 35., H-5540 Szarvas, Hungary
Árpád Székely
Research Center for Irrigation and Water Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Anna-liget Str. 35., H-5540 Szarvas, Hungary
Ildikó Kolozsvári
Institute of Agronomy, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Anna-liget Str. 35., H-5540 Szarvas, Hungary
Norbert Túri
Research Center for Irrigation and Water Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Anna-liget Str. 35., H-5540 Szarvas, Hungary
Beatrix Bakti
Department of Plantation Forestry, Forest Research Institute, University of Sopron, Farkasszigeti Str. 3., H-4150 Püspökladány, Hungary
Mihály Zalai
Department of Integrated Plant Protection, Plant Protection Institute, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Páter Károly Str. 1., H-2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
Ágnes Kun
Research Center for Irrigation and Water Management, Institute of Environmental Sciences, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Anna-liget Str. 35., H-5540 Szarvas, Hungary
This study examines the impact of line spacing (X: 24 m, Y: 9 m, Z: 6.5 m) and orientation to tree lines on the growth, yield, and quality of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) in a temperate, irrigated agroforestry system (2 ha) in Szarvas, Hungary. Three sampling locations were distinguished between the east and west oriented tree lines: the north (N) side, middle (M) strip, and south (S) side of the tree lines. The highest red clovers were observed in the 6.5 m spacing (mean height 69.3 ± 7.2 cm), although yields were similar across 24 m, 9 m, and 6.5 m spacings (2.9 t ha−1, 2.3 t ha−1, and 2.7 t ha−1 dry matter, respectively). Orientation significantly influenced all forage quality parameters, with the north side showing earlier developmental stages and higher proportions of immature flowers (41–59%). Managing the spatial arrangement of red clover in agroforestry systems can help optimize forage quality by mitigating variations in plant maturity.
