Effects of iron fertilization on yield and some agricultural characteristics of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L. )

This study was carried out to determine the effects of different iron fertilizer doses on the forage yield and some yield characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under Niğde ecological conditions durind the growing season of in 2021. The field experiment was established in accordance with the randomized blocks design with 4 replications. The iron doses of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 600 g/da were tested. Fertilizer containing 6% iron, suitable for foliar application, chelated with water-soluble iron, EDTA, was used. During the season, the plots were cut 4 times in total. Alfalfa plant heights varied between 50.3-88.0 cm, green forage yields between 3350-3829 kg/da, hay yields between 901-1041 kg/da, leaf ratios per plant 31.0-50.6%, stem ratios between 48.9- 69.0% per plant. The SPAD values were calculated as 49.0-63.8. In iron dose applications, the most significant forage yield increase was determined in the 3rd cutting period, and the lowest yield increase was determined in the 1st cutting period. The forage yield of alfalfa increased significantly, depending on iron dose as compared to, the except for the control application. The effects of Fe doses being higher than 100 g/da on yield were not different than the dose of 100 g/da. It has been concluded that 100 g/da of iron fertilizer application would be appropriate for obtaining high forage yield from alfalfa under Niğde conditions. Keywords: Alfalfa, foliar fertilizer, chelated iron, yield.