Abstract
To compare the effect on yield and quality of berseem fodder of the application of phosphorus applied whole bulk at sowing against its split use made at sowing and after first and second cuttings, a field trial was conducted for three years from 1975 to 1978 on a laorny soil in Ayub Agricultural Research Institute, Faisalabad, Doses of phosphorus were 67,135 and 202 kg P2Osha-L ha... Fodder yield as well as the protein content were increased with the increased level of phosphorus. Application of 202 kg of P205/ha produced significantly higher yield than those obtained from 67kg of P205ba-1 and control, the latter resulted in the lowest yic-ld of berseem fodder, Bulk application made at the time of sowing and the spliced use done at different stages, 1,e. at sowing, first and second cuttings, both were found to be equally effective, and statistically
INTRODUCTION
JJerseem (Trifolfum alexandrium-L) is the prime fodder crop for both milch and draught animals in the country. Besides being a highly paletable feed its nutritional value is well recognised. Over and above these qualities the crop being a legume plays an important role in enriching the soil through the fixation of atmospheric nitrogen, therefore its role in the crop rotation system is quite significant (Gill, 1967). Among the fodder crops its duration of fodder supply is the longest which has made it a highly popular fodder, consequently it is sewn on a very large area in the Punjab. Due to good nodulation of the crop in the congenial environment of our soils its requirements for nitrogen are just nominal and that also only in the early stages, while its needs. for phosphorus are more pronounced (Wahhab, 1960 and Sarwar, 1976).