Effect of Irrigation Scheduling on Forage Yield and Quality of Rhodes Grass and Common Vetch under Water Stress Conditions

Authors

• Abdo Bakri Fakirah, Department of Crop Science and Genetic Enhancement, Faculty of Agriculture, Foods and Environment, Sana'a University, Sana'a, Yemen
• Adel Alhjami, Department of Horticulture and its Technologies, Faculty of Agriculture, Foods and Environment, Sana'a University, Sana'a, YemenFollow

Abstract

This study examined the effects of different irrigation intervals (7, 14, 21, and 28 days) on the growth, yield, and quality of Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana) and common vetch (Vicia sativa L.) under field conditions in Sana'a Governorate, Yemen, during two growing seasons. A randomized complete block design with a split-plot arrangement was employed. Short irrigation intervals (7 and 14 days) significantly enhanced plant height, fresh weight, and dry matter yield in both forage species, whereas moderate water stress (21 days) increased crude protein concentration. Rhodes grass showed higher biomass production, while common vetch achieved superior forage quality, reflected in higher leaf/stem ratio and crude protein content. Significant interactions between irrigation intervals and plant genera were observed for most traits. The study concludes that optimizing irrigation scheduling according to forage species can improve productivity and quality under water-limited conditions.

First Page

43

Last Page

60

Recommended Citation

Fakirah, Abdo Bakri and Alhjami, Adel (2026) "Effect of Irrigation Scheduling on Forage Yield and Quality of Rhodes Grass and Common Vetch under Water Stress Conditions," Journal of King Abdulaziz University: Meteorology, Environment and Arid Land Agriculture: Vol. 35: Iss. 2, Article 4.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64064/1319-1039.1026

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.