CLIPPING IN WHEAT: IMPACT OF VARIETIES AND STAGE OF HARVEST ON GREEN FODDER, CROP GROWTH AND YIELD OF WHEAT

Abstract

To study the effect of different varieties and clipping intervals on dual purpose wheat, a field trial was carried out at the Agricultural Research Institute, Dera Ismail Khan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK) during the year 2013-2014. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design replicated thrice. Wheat varieties tested were Dera-98, Zam-04, Gomal-8 and Hashim-8. Fodder harvesting was done to check the cutting effect on wheat 45 and 60 days after sowing (DAS). There were 12 rows in each treatment, 6 were cut (three rows 45 days and other three rows 60 days after sowing) for forage + grain purpose while rest of the six rows were un-cut for grain purpose only. This study revealed that, among wheat varieties, Hashim-8 produced higher forage as well as grain yields than other varieties. It was also found that cut I (clipping wheat 45 days after sowing) was better than cut II (60 days after sowing) and no-cut, respectively in terms of cost benefit ratio. Variety Hashim-8 can be harvested 45 days after sowing for green fodder and therefore recommended for dual purpose (forage + grain purpose).