The Comparison of Qualitative and Quantitative Yield and Economic Indices of Forage Crops as a Second Crop in Rotation after Rice

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Rice Research Institute, Rasht, Iran.

2 Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, Rice Research Institute, Rasht, Iran

3 Agricultural Jihad Organization of Guilan Province, Rasht, Iran

Abstract

In order to investigate the yield and economic indices of forage crops as a second crop in rotation after rice, an experiment was conducted based on a randomized complete block design with three replications at research fields of Rice Research Institute of Iran in Rasht during two cropping seasons of 2023-2025. The experimental treatments included eight forage plants (berseem clover, forage mustard, barley, triticale, forage safflower, vetch, forage pea and faba bean) and intercropping of triticale + vetch (50% triticale and 50% vetch). The results of combined analysis of variance revealed that forage species had significant effect on all studied traits. The highest fresh forage yield (44520 kg.ha-1), dry forage yield (12861 kg.ha-1) and protein yield (1818 kg.ha-1) were obtained in the intercropping of triticale + vetch. The lowest fresh forage yield (27082 kg.ha-1) and dry forage yield (5796 kg.ha-1) were also found for mustard and safflower, respectively. The intercropping of triticale + vetch, berseem clover and vetch with net profit and benefit-cost ratio (1003050 thousand rials/ha and 3.5), (969850 thousand rials/ha and 3/29) and (879840 thousand rials/ha and 3/06) were ranked first to third, respectively. Overall, to achieve optimal forage yield and quality, as well as greater economic advantage, the intercropping of triticale + vetch, berseem clover and vetch, is recommended as a second crop in paddy fields of Guilan province

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Volume 57, Issue 2
June 2026
Pages 43-55
  • Receive Date: 05 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 01 December 2025
  • Accept Date: 17 December 2025
  • Publish Date: 22 June 2026