Effect of row spacing on seed and forage yield in sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) cultivars

Abstract

A field experiment including 3 sainfoin cultivars (Makedonka, EG Norm, and the Sokobanja population) was set up in a seed production trial with the aim of determining adequate row spacing for seed and forage yield. The cultivars were sown at 3 different row spacings (20 cm, 50 cm, and 80 cm) and at a within-row spacing of 1 cm. Seed yield was determined over a 3-year period, whereas forage yield and quality were evaluated from the 2nd cut in the 2nd and 3rd years. Crop thinning through the years, distinct competitive ability of sainfoin, and a large impact of weather conditions induced significant differences in seed yield among years. All cultivars gave considerably higher yields at wider row spacings in the 2nd and 3rd years of the experiment. The cultivars responded differently to variable row spacings across years, which was due to differences in seed yield performance under different growing spaces and available moisture conditions. Owing to the low profitability of seed yield, in respect of both seed and forage yield, the use of wider row spacings (about 50 cm) for vigorous cultivars and narrower row spacing (below 50 cm) for less vigorous cultivars for seed yield may become feasible. © TÜBITAK.