THE EFFECTS OF VARYING ROW SPACING AND PHOSPHORUS DOSES ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF FENUGREEK (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.)

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of different row spacing (20, 30 and 40 cm) and phosphorus applications (0, 30, 60 and 90 kg ha-1 ) on the yield and quality of fenugreek in Van-Turkey, in 2006 and 2007 growing seasons. Field experiments were arranged in Completely Randomized Block Design with three replications at the experimental fields of Agricultural Faculty of Yuzuncu Yil University. As a result of the research, while all the growth and yield parameters except for thousand seed weight and protein content were significantly affected by row spacing applications. Phosphorus fertilizer applications positively affected all the traits examined except for pod length. Consequently, the highest seed yield (777.0-785.0 kg ha-1 ) was obtained from 30 cm row spacing in the both experimental years, respectively. In phosphorus applications, while the highest seed yield (731.0 kg ha-1 ) was obtained from 60 kg P ha-1 applications in 2006 year, the highest seed yield (742.0 kg ha-1 ) was obtained from 90 kg P ha-1 applications in 2007 year. But, between 60 and 90 kg P ha-1 applications there was not an important difference in the both experimental years. However, the highest protein content (23.0 %) was obtained from 20 cm row spacing and 30 kg P ha-1 applications in the 2006 year.