Assessing Yield, Biomass Production, and Forage Quality of Red Clover (Trifolium pratense
L.) in Agroforestry System: One-Year Study in 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.