Effects of Row Spacing on Yield and Quality of Forage Pea (Pisum sativum ssp. arvense)

Abstract

Peas are globally used as forage, haylage, silage or straw in ruminants’ diet. Winter forage pea is also becoming an important forage crop, particularly for haylage production in Türkiye. Row spacing produce different spatial arrangements that influence competition for resources, especially radiation, in forage pea production. The aim of this study is to determine the appropriate row spacing for forage peas depending on hay yield and quality. Field experiments were performed Kızıltepe district, Mardin province of Türkiye during winter growing seasons of 2018-2019 and 2019-2020. Özkaynak pea variety was used in the experiments. Three row spacings (RS) (20, 30 and 40 cm) were applied. The experimental units had an area of 12 m2 (2.4×5) in size and equal seed rate was used in each experimental unit (on 150 kg ha -1 ). Higher plant height (127.8 cm) was recorded under 20 cm RS, compared to 30 (121.8 cm) and 40 cm (121.2 cm). The average green forage yield was 26.7, 27.7, and 28.8 t ha-1 for 40, 30, and 20 cm RS, respectively. Whereas the average hay yields for 20, 30, and 40 cm RS were 5.20, 5.34, and 5.79 t ha-1 , respectively. Crude protein (CP) ratio was significantly lower for 40 cm (20.2%) RS compare to 20 (22.5%) and 30 (21.6%) cm RS. Average raw ash, dry matter uptake (DMI) and relative nutritional value (RFV) ratios significantly increased in 30 cm and 40 cm RS compared to the 20 cm. However neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio decreased in 30 cm and 40 cm RS compared to 20 cm. Acid detergent fiber (ADF) and digestible dry matter (DDM) were not significantly affected from RS. In conclusion, 20 cm RS would be more suitable and economical due to higher plant height, green forage and hay yields, and higher CP and NDF rates for commercial feed producers in the region. However, 30 cm RS may be more suitable for farmers producing feed for their own livestock due to higher DMI and RFV values.