EFFECT OF ZINC ON YIELD AND SOME RELATED TRAITS OF ALFALFA

Abstract

Effects of increasing dozes of zinc application (0, 40, 80, 120 kg ha -1 ) were studied on herbage, hay, dry matter, crude protein and zinc contents yields of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for three years (2003-2005). The results indicated that different zinc doses had significant effects on these properties. The highest yields were obtained in 80 kg ha -1 zinc treatment. By this application, increase in yields were determined as 30.9% in herbage, 34.7% in hay and 32.1% in dry matter yield compared to control. The yields differed significantly among the experimental years. In the second year of experiment, average herbage, hay, dry matter and crude protein yields were higher than the first and third years but the highest zinc concentrations of plant were in the first year. Average data of the 3 years revealed that the least yields were obtained from control.