Effects of row spacing and plant growth regulation on alfalfa seed yield (medicago sativa l.)

Abstract

The influence of sowing method, growth regulator and harvest method on alfalfa seed yield was examined in three years (2015-2017), in locality near Belgrade, with using alfalfa variety NS Banat ZMS II. Research showed the statistically very significant effect of sowing method on seed yield, and the best average way for all three years period was 60 cm between rows of sowed seed. The growth regulator proved to be effective only in the rainy year, while harvesting crops previously treated with desiccant proved to beuseful, with the exception in the year of establishment when this difference was not statistically significant. Meteorological conditions had the highest influence on the seed yield, amount of precipitation in the vegetation period mostly, and the researched factors have proved to be useful in suppressing the consequences of poor weather. In years suitable for seed production, the recommendation for the production practice is an intermediate distance of 60 cm and the use of a desiccant.