Influence of different nitrogen doses on plant properties and forage quality of phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham)

This study was conducted to determine the effect of nitrogen doses and cutting stages on forage yield, quality, phenological and morphologial traits of phacelia (Phacelia tanacetifolia Bentham) in 2013 spring-summer season in Yozgat-Sorgun condutions. Five Nitrogen (N) doses (0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10 kg/da) and two cutting time (50% flowering and, and of flowering) was performed in the study. Inflorescences period of phacelia continued 42.6 days and was the longest (45 days) in control (N0) treatment. . Hay yield, crude protein ratio and yield were significantly (p<0.01) affected by cutting stage and were the highest in the plants cutted at 50% flowering stage. The effects of N doses was also significant (p<0.05) on hay and crude protein yield but not significant on crude protein ratio. The number of bee visit (bee/m2/5 minute) showed significant (p<0.01) variation between cutting stage and N doses and, it was the highest at the 50% flowering stage and under 10 and 5 kg/da N doses. Consequently, harvesting at the 50% flowering stage and 7.5 kg/da dose of the nitrogen was determined as the most suitable treatments for phacelia to be considered as forage and nectar plants at same season. Keywords: Phacelia, nectar, forage, nitrogen, cutting stage.