Effect of clipping intensity on forage production and quality of Amorpha fruticosa L.

In the Mediterranean zone woody fodder species are important feed sources, especially during the summer-autumn period when herbaceous species are of limited supply and dry. The effect of different clipping intensity of the current growth (30% and 60%) compared to control (0%) to production and quality of Amorpha fruticosa foliage (leaves and twigs) was studied. The clipping conducted at three different phenological stages. Forage production of the 60% clipping intensity treatment was significantly higher (P≤ 0.05) compared to the 30% clipping intensity and the control. There was no difference between the two treatments in forage quality, which remain high during the tested periods.