EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT ROW SPACINGS AND SEEDING RATES ON CONTENT OF IMPORTANT MACRO-MINERALS IN FORAGE PEA

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effects of row spacings (RS) and seeding rates (SR) on the macro-mineral content of forage pea (Pisum sativum spp. arvense L.). For this purpose, field experiments were established in line with the Split Plots in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. According to the results, the content of the investigated macro-minerals ranged in the tested the row spacings, seeding rates and the growing seasons as follows: calcium (Ca) content 15.03 g kg-1 to 16.67 g kg-1, magnesium (Mg) content 2.40 g kg-1 to 3.40 g kg-1, phosphorus (P) content 3.74 g kg-1 to 4.74 g kg-1 and potassium (K) content 22.81 g kg-1 to 31.48 g kg-1 of forage dry matter (DM). It has been determined that these concentrations of minerals are sufficient for animal needs. Additionally, variance analysis showed that the Mg content of forage pea increased significantly (P<0.01) in the dry growing season, whereas the P and K content of forage pea decreased in the same growing season. Furthermore, a biplot analysis of the data from the two growing seasons showed that 20 cm RS was the best row spacing for reaching the highest Ca, P and K content, while 30 cm RS was found as the best spacing for the highest Mg content in forage pea. Additionally, 150 seed m-2 SR was the ideal seeding rate for obtaining the highest Ca and Mg content in the forage pea.