Qualitative traits of various Egyptian clover varieties under efficiency of bio-chemical phosphorus fertilization and lithovit regimes

H.H.A. Ibrahim¹*, A.A.H. El-Khawaga¹, I.E. Ramadan¹, H.H.M. Hassan² and A. Abdelsalam¹

¹University of Zagazig, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy,
Al Wehda Al Zraaia St, Moawwad, Zagazig 2, Sharkia Governorate, 44519, Egypt
²Forage Crops Research Department, Field Crops Research Institute, Agriculture Research Center (ARC), 9 Cairo University Rd, Oula, Giza District, Giza Governorate, Egypt
*Correspondence: hebahany1996@gmail.com

Abstract:

This investigation was performed at the Agriculture Research Station, Faculty of Agric. Zagazig Univ., Sharkia Governorate, Egypt, throughout the winter seasons of 2019/2020 and 2020/2021. The study aimed to evaluate the influence of ten bio-chemical fertilization and lithovit regimes on forage quality of 1^st and 3^rd cuts of various Egyptian clover varieties (Berseem, Trifolium alexandrinum L.) q.e. Helaly, Gemmeza 1, Sakha 4, Serw 1, Giza 6 and local variety. The ten fertilization regimes were F₁, control; F₂, chemical phosphorus 15.5 P₂O₅ kg fad^-1; F₃, bio-phosphorus fertilizer ‘phosphorein’; F₄, 50% of F₂ + phosphorein; F₅, 25% of F₂ + phosphorien; F₆, F₂ + lithovit; F₇, F₃ + lithovit; F₈, F₄ + lithovit; F₉, F₅ + lihtovit; F₁₀, sole lithovit. Giza 6 Egyptian berseem variety ranked first in forage quality because of its high content of each CP (%), NFE (%), TDN (%), and DP (%) in the 3^rd cut. The local berseem variety ranked the least over the six Egyptian clover varieties with the highest ash (%) in the 1^st cut. Other varieties were in between. Allusion to the bio-chemical phosphorus fertilization and lithovit regimes, application of any phosphorus fertilization regimes surpassed the control treatment in most nutritive values. Application of F₉ fertilization regime (25% chemical P + bio-fertilizer ‘phosphorien’ + nano-fertilizer ‘lithovit’) tended to produce high forage quality with high content of CP (%) in the 1^st cut, TDN (%) in both 1^st and 3^rd cuts as well as DP (%) in the 1^st cut.

Key words:

Egyptian clover, fertilizer, lithovit, Phosphorus, quality