Effects of Plant Growth Regulator and Row Spacing on Seed Yield and Yield Components of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effects of plant growth regulator (Naphthalene acetic acid) applied to four different row spacing (17.5, 35, 52.5 and 70 cm) on seed yield and yield components of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L) under temperate climate conditions in Turkey. The experimental design featured a split plot with three replications during the growing season of 2019-2023. In the research, biomass yield, harvest index, racemes per stem, pods per raceme, and seeds per pod were examined as well as seed yield. According to the research results, plant growth regulator increased seed yield and yield components except biomass yield. Seed yield varied among row spacing and the highest seed yield was determined at 52.5 cm row spacing. In present study, it was concluded that 52.5 cm row spacing was suitable for alfalfa seed yield for similar ecologies, and further research should be conducted for plant growth regulator application in forage crops.