The influence of basic meteorological elements and seeding density on yield and quality of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum graecum L.)
Faculty of Agriculture, Belgrade-Zemun (1,2)
Institute of Medical Plant Research “Dr Josif Pančić”, Belgrade (3)
Results of two-year investigations (2000 and 2001) on the influence of seeding method and basic meteorological elements (precipitation and temperature) on yield and quality of fenugreek seed (Trigonella foenum graecum L.) are presented in this paper. Considerably higher yield of fenugreek seed in all variations was obtained in the second study year which was probably caused by more favorable precipitation during vegetation period. Average temperature during vegetation period was similar in both study years, therefore it could not have influenced significantly the differences in yield and quality of seed. The highest seed yield was achieved in both study years in case of seeding method with 50 cm distance between seeding rows and 10 cm distance between plants in a row. Reduction of the distance below 50 cm caused more significant decrease of seed yield compared to the condition when the distance was increased. Similar results were obtained by Rajčić and Jocković (1990) in soybean, Lugić et al. (1996) in red clover and Slowinsky et al. (1996) in alfalfa production to be used as seed raised on vegetation areas of different surfaces. The conclusion was that raising plants in higher density caused considerable decrease of seed yield. Fenugreek seed produced in the year 2000 had lower absolute mass, but better germination energy, as well as total germination, compared to the second study year despite better conditions of natural moisterizing. Concerning variations of distance between seed rows in both study years fenugreek seed obtained from 50 x 10 cm variation had best quality traits.