Sowing date: The factor of yield and quality of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum graecum L)

Abstract

Results of a two-year investigation (2005 and 2006) for the yield and quality of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum graecum L) obtained on the location in South Banat (around Pančevo) on marsh dark soil are presented in the paper. Fenugreek seed used in this investigation was produced in the collection of the Institute of Medicinal Plant Research "Dr Josif Pančić" in Pančevo. The effect of sowing date on yield (kg/ha) and quality of fenugreek seed (germination energy and total germination) were investigated. Sowing was carried out on seven dates, 10 days between dates of each sowing. Yield of fenugreek seed sowed on different dates differed in both years. Sowing carried out in the first two weeks in April resulted in considerably higher yield compared to sowing at the end of April and during May. The highest yield was produced in the second sowing date from April 10, then in the first (April 1) and the third sowing period (April 20). The lowest yield of fenugreek seed was recorded in sowing carried out at the end of May. Yield of fenugreek seed wasn't significantly different in study years. Earlier dates of sowing resulted in seed of better quality (better germination energy and total germination). In the second sowing date fenugreek seed obtained was of best germination energy and total germination (approx. 99%). Later sowing dates gave seed of lower quality. So, sowing carried out at the end of May resulted in seed with the lowest value of germination energy and total germination (approx. 91%).

Keywords

• fenugreek
• sowing date
• yield
• quality