The effects of different sowing dates of fiddleneck (phacelia tanacetifolia) during the autumn and spring sowing periods on the forage yield and quality

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the best sowing period and sowing dates for fiddleneck in Western Black Sea Region and in similar ecologies. The study was conducted at the Akmanlar village of the city of Bartın during the autumn and spring vegetation periods of 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 with randomized block design with three replications. This research was conducted in the autumn and spring sowing periods. At the end of the study, the highest amount of dry matter (8.97 t ha-1 –September 30 and 8.96 t ha-1- September 15) and crude protein yield (1.10 t ha-1 September 15 -1.09 September 30 t ha-1) were obtained in September from the sowings conducted during the autumn period, whereas for the spring period the highest dry matter was obtained beginning of March sowing date (4.07 t ha-1). The fiber ratios of fiddleneck were determined on average as ndf 44.14%, adf 37.79%, adl 23.91% during the autumn sowing period and as ndf 42.51%, adf 34.63%, adl 22.82% during the spring sowing period. As a result, it is suggested to prefer autumn sowing period for hay and to carry out the sowing in the months of September and October during this time frame.