Original scientific paper

EFFECT OF GROWTH REGULATOR AND NITROGEN FERTILIZATION ON SEED YIELD AND GERMINATION OF ITALIAN RYEGRASS

Martina Kovačević orcid.org/0000-0003-2576-4982 ; Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb
Zlatko Svečnjak orcid.org/0000-0001-5110-3921 ; Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb
Krešimir Bošnjak ; Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb
Dario Jareš ; Faculty of Agriculture University of Zagreb

Abstract

Limited information is available for agricultural practices and operations in seed
production of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.). The main objective was to
determine the effect of plant growth regulator and nitrogen fertilization on the most
important agronomic traits of Italian ryegrass grown for seed production. Field trial was
carried out during one growing season with four nitrogen fertilization (0, 60, 120 and
180 kg/ha) along with unfertilized plots. Plant growth regulator Moddus 250 EC was
applied during shooting at the rate of 1.0 L/ha. Seed yields averaged 1.652 kg/ha with
average seed water content of 40.5%. Compared to untreated plots, the application of
plant growth regulator reduced stem height, and consequently, increased seed yields.
Nitrogen fertilization produced significantly higher seed yields primarily due to
increased spike number and secondarily because of significantly higher 1000-seed
weight and slightly improved floret number per spikelet. Seed yields following nitrogen
fertilization rate of 120 and 180 kg/ha were slightly larger than those produced with 60
kg/ha. Nitrogen fertilization and plant growth regulator had no effect on final
germination rate, but seed viability was higher for heavier seeds.

Keywords

Italian ryegrass; plant growth regulator; N fertilization; seed yield; germination

Hrčak ID:

103348

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/103348

Publication date:

28.3.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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