White clover (Trifolium repens L.) is known for its ability to fix nitrogen biologically, its high nutritional value, and its adaptability to livestock systems. However, excessive fertilization with synthetic nitrogen alters its symbiosis with Rhizobium and reduces the protein content of the forage. The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction between nitrogen fertilization (0 and 60 kg N ha⁻¹), cutting time, and post-cutting evaluation on the morphology, yield, and nutritional composition of white clover. A completely randomized block experimental design with three factors, distributed in three blocks, was used. Within each block, three replicates of each treatment were assigned (six interactions), giving a total of 54 experimental units. The data were analyzed using a three-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s multiple comparison test. Exponential models and generalized additive models (GAMs) were applied to the morphology and yield data to identify the best fit. The treatment with 60 kg N ha⁻¹ and cutting at 30 days showed significant increases in plant height (47.42%), fresh weight (59.61%), dry weight (98.41%), and leaf width (27.55%) compared to the control. It also produced the highest protein content (28.44%) compared to the other treatments with fertilization, without negatively affecting digestibility. The GAMs best fit most morphological and yield parameters (except leaf height and width). All fertilized treatments had higher fresh and dry weight yields. In conclusion, applying 60 kg N ha⁻¹ after cutting at 30 days, followed by harvesting between 54 and 60 days, improved both the quality and yield of white clover, which favored sustainable pasture management and reduced excessive nitrogen use.

Scenarios of climate change, extensive land use, soil degradation, the loss of native forest cover due to monoculture expansion, and pasture scarcity pose new challenges to livestock farming worldwide. Associated crops emerge as an alternative to mitigate these factors; however, selecting compatible species that do not generate competition and optimize the attributes of the forage is a necessity. Therefore, this study evaluated the effect of a maize and bean association, and cutting time on the morphological variables, yield, and nutritional composition of forage. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) with a 3A × 3C factorial arrangement and three blocks was used. Factor A (associations) had three levels: INIA-604-Morocho maize monoculture (M), M+PER1003544 chaucha bean association (M+F1), and M+PER1003551 chaucha bean association (M+F2). Factor C (maize cutting stage) had three levels: R2 (blister grain), R3 (milky grain), and R4 (pasty grain). A total of 27 experimental units were established. No silage was made; the nutritional quality was evaluated as the raw material for silage. The treatments modulated key attributes for silage. In R4, the M+F2 association (INIA-604-Morocho + PER1003551) showed a higher percentage of dry matter in the system (32.36%) and better mixture quality due to a lower NDF and ADF (48.22% and 23.29%) and higher digestibility and protein values (62.10% and 9.53%). In addition, dry matter yields increased compared with R2 in M+F1 (134.16%), M+F2 (90.56%), and M (138.48%). Although R3 maximized green forage, R4 offered the best combination of quantity and quality for silage (as raw material), reducing the risk of deterioration and improving forage use efficiency. In general, combining maize with beans and adjusting the cut to R4 optimizes the production and quality of the raw material for silage, with the criterion that these findings pertain to pre-ensiled material and should be validated in future studies.