The effect of inter-row distance and environmental conditions on seed yield of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

• Main Author: Beković Dragoljub
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serbian Association of Plant Breedings and Seed Producers 2007-01-01
• Series: Selekcija i Semenarstvo
• Online Access: http://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0354-5881/2007/0354-58810704025B.pdf

An experimental study, aimed to establish the effect of inter-row distance and environmental conditions on alfalfa seed yield was carried out at the location "Ledena stena", in a suburb of Nis, in the period of 2001-2003. The three sowing modes were studied, with inter-row distances of 20 cm, 40 cm, and 60 cm. Seven alfalfa cultivars were involved in the study as follows: NS-Banat ZMS II, NS-Slavija, NS-Novosadjanka H-11, and NS-Tisa, created in the Institute for Field and Vegetable Crops, Novi Sad; K-23 and K-28 created in the Center for Forage Crops, Krusevac; as well as Zajecarska 83 created in the Center for Agricultural and Technological Research, Zajecar. A significant effect on seed yield was also shown by sowing mode, so the highest seed yield was reached with the inter-row distance of 40 cm (297.39 kg ha-1), and the lowest one with the distance of 60 cm (256.09 kg ha-1). Annual weather conditions had a significant effect on seed yield. So seed yield ranged by year from 155.2 - 426.5 kg ha-1. The effect of genotype on seed yield was also significant, so the best yielding cultivars were Zajecarska 83 (302.5 kg ha-1) and K-28 (296.1 kg ha-1), and the worst yielding ones were K-23 (250.0 kg ha-1) and NS-Tisa (257.3 kg ha-1). .