Biotech Studies 2016, Vol 25, Num, 1     (Pages: 058-066)

The Effects of Different Nitrogen Fertilizer Doses on Yield and Some Agricultural Traits of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium italicum L.) Cultivars

Ergül ÇOLAK 1 ,Cengiz SANCAK 2

1 Gıda, Tarım ve Hayvancılık Bakanlığı, Eğitim Yayım ve Yayınlar Dairesi Başkanlığı, Ankara
2 Ankara Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Ankara
DOI : 10.21566/tbmaed.55211 - This research is conducted to determine the effects of different doses of nitrogen fertilizers which has a potential to increase the quality and quantity of Italian ryegrass cultivars. It was carried out at the experimental area of Field Crops Department of Agricultural Faculty of Ankara University between the years of 2008 and 2009. The experiment was designed in split blocks with three replicates in the experimental plots of Field Crops Depertmant of Agricultural Faculty of Ankara University. Nitrogen in ammonium nitrate (33% N) form was apllied on main blocks with the amount of 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 and 24 kg/da doses. Italian ryegrass cultivars Gemini, Tetraflorum and Lolita were places in sub-plots. Hand seeding was performed in early spring on the rows which was 30 cm apart each other. Weeds were taken out on the plots manually whenever needed. When the plants were at anthesis stage, observations were made and plants were harvested for hay. According to the results; statistical differences were found among Italian ryegrass cultivars for plant height and fresh herbage yield. Nitrogen fertilizer doses affected plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dried hay yield. Between the experimental years, statistical differences for plant height, stem diameter, fresh and dried hay yield also were detected. Nitrogen doses increased plant height, stem diamater, fresh and dry hay yield. Significant differences were detected among yield characters of Italian ryegarss herbage. In order to get higher forage yield in the Italian ryegrass cultivation in Ankara conditions, 8 kg/da nitrogen fertilizer is recomended according to results of this research. Keywords : İtalian ryegrass, nitrogen, fertilizer, plant height, hay yield