The effects of different row spacings and seed rates on hay yield and quality characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under Tokat-Kazova ecological conditions

This research was conducted to determine the effects of different row spacings and sowing rates on the hay yield and quality characteristics under Tokat-Kazova ecological conditions during the years of 2014-2016. In the study, cultivars alfalfa Bilensoy-80 was sown at four different row spacings (15, 30, 45 and 60 cm) and six different sowing rates (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 kg/da) The experimental design was completely randomized design in split plots with four replications. Main plots were row spacings and sub-plots were seeding rates. According to the results of the research, the highest yields of green herbage hay (9 456.1 kg/da), dry matter (2 691.0 kg/da) and digestible dry matter (1 704.3 kg/da), and dry matter ratio of herbage hay (%32.7) were obtained from application of 2.5 kg/da seeding rate at 15 cm row spacing. The highest ratios of crude protein (% 20.8), digestible dry matter (% 63.7) and relative feed value (147.8), main stem diameter (3.20 mm) were obtained from application of 0.5 kg/da seeding rate at 15 cm row spacing. The highest number of main stems (10.2 number/plant) were obtained from 1.0 kg/da seeding rate at 15 cm a row spacing, and the highest crude protein (631.0 kg/da) yield was obtained from application of 1.0 kg/da seeding rate at 30 cm row spacing, and the highest plant height (80.4 cm) was obtained from application of 0.5 kg/da seeding rate at 30 cm row spacing. From the results of this study, it was concluded that, cultivar alfalfa must be sown at 15 cm row spacings and 2.5 kg /da seeding rate for high yield and hay quality under in Tokat-Kazova ecological conditions.