Effect of cut off date on the fodder quality of Egyptian clover (Trifoliumalexandrinum L.) sown on different dates

Various fodder quality parameters, viz. ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF ), ash content, neutral fibre (NDF), acid fibre (ADF), hemicellulose conten t (HC) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) were evaluated for last clipping fod der and straw of Egyptian clover sown on different dates and clipped for fo dder on various dates: Delay in sowing from 1 October to 15 November signif icantly increased ash content and decreased NDF content of both fodder and straw, whereas crude fibre and hemicellulose content of straw in 15 Novembe r sowing were significantly lower on 1 October sowing. Ash content of last clipping fodder decreased, while that of straw increased with each delay in cut off time of fodder up to I 1 April. Crude fibre and ADF content of las t clipping fodder and NDF and HC content of both last clipping fodder and s traw increased, whereas, crude fibre content of straw and NFE of last clipp ing fodder and straw decreased with delay in cut off date. Egyptian clover sown in first fortnight of November and given last folder clipping up to se cond week of March produced the fodder of best quality compared to other da tes of sowing and cut off dates for fodder.