1. AKA KHIL - Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
2. FAHD RASUL - Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
3. ABDUL KHALIQ - Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
4. MUHAMMAD AZIZ UR RAHMAN - Institute of Animal and Dairy Sciences, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Fodder demand for livestock, particularly in lean periods is a common issue and it poses a significant effect on livestock production. Therefore, this study was set up on wheat as dual-purpose crop with respect to fodder and grain production especially under limited land of agricultural community. The experiment comprised of four wheat varieties (Fakhr-e-bahkhar-19, Anaj-17, C-228 and Gulzar-19), two cutting times (No cut & cut at 60 days after sowing) and three seed rates (123, 148 and 173 kg ha-1 ). The experiment was laid out using randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a factorial arrangement. Concluding the results of this study, wheat variety C-228 had the leading fresh fodder yield using 173 kg ha-1 seed. However, Fakhr-e-bahkhar-19 and Anaj-17 exhibited the highest grain yield under no cut treatment using seed rate of 123 kg ha-1 and 173 kg ha-1 , respectively. As per economic concern, the highest benefit-cost ratio was observed in variety Anaj-17 when fodder was harvested after 60 DAS using 123 kg ha-1 seed rate followed by Fakhr-e-bahkhar-19 where the fodder was cut at prescribed cutting interval using 173 kg ha-1 seed rate. Hence, findings of this study recommend the specific wheat varieties as dual-purpose cultivation, with optimized cutting time and seed rates to enhance yield and economic returns. It is offering a planned way for farmers to overcome fodder scarcity in the winter lean period and maximize land productivity in changing climate challenges.
Wheat, Dual-Purpose, Varieties, Seed Rate, Climate Change, Cutting Time, Grain Yield, Economic Returns.