Effects of Zinc on Yield and Quality of Forage Pea [Pisum sativum ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.]

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important micronutrients that can increase the growth, yield attributes, yield, quality and nutritional value of plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4·7H2O) application at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg ha-1) on forage yield and quality and mineral content of the plant in forage pea [Pisum sativum ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.] (cv. Özkaynak) under semi-arid climate conditions. The response variables included stem diameter, plant height, green forage yield, hay yield, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, total phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). As a result of the research, it was determined that the Zn doses applied from the soil had meaningful effects on the green forage yield (p<0.05) and CP (p<0.01), total P (p<0.05) and Ca (p<0.01) contents of forage pea. The highest green forage yield of 43.60 t ha-1 was obtained at Zn dose of 10 kg ha-1. Although it did not show statistically significant changes, improvements were also achieved in hay yield compared to the control at the same dose. In the study, Zn fertilization increased forage CP ratio significantly. In addition, soil Zn application also provided sufficient macronutrient accumulation in forage pea hay for ruminants. According to the research results, it was concluded that in the presence of low level extractable Zn in the soil, 10 kg Zn ha-1 application to forage pea would provide prominent increases in forage production, forage quality and nutritional value.