Open Access

Effects of Different Nitrogen Rates on Forage Yield of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) under Spring and Autumn Sowing Conditions

1 Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Van
2 Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Van
3 Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi, Ziraat Fakültesi, Tarla Bitkileri Bölümü, Van

Abstract

This study was carried out in the Research and Application Field of the Department of Field Crops, Faculty of Agriculture, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, during 2021–2022, covering the spring 2021, autumn 2021, spring 2022, and autumn 2022 sowing periods. The plant material used was the Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) cultivar ‘Master’, and the experiment was conducted in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Diammonium phosphate (DAP, 18% N–46% P) and ammonium sulfate (21% N) were applied as fertilizers. Plant height, fresh forage yield, and dry matter yield were investigated. The lowest plant height was recorded in the control treatment during autumn 2021 (58.7 cm), while the highest was observed in autumn 2022 at a rate of 20 kg N da⁻¹ (77.2 cm). Fresh forage yield ranged from 3158.1 kg da⁻¹ in the control group (autumn 2021) to 4940.2 kg da⁻¹ at 20 kg N da⁻¹ in the same season. Dry matter yield was lowest in the control treatment during spring 2022 (897.2 kg da⁻¹), whereas the highest value was obtained in autumn 2021 at 20 kg N da⁻¹ (1305.2 kg da⁻¹). In general, increasing nitrogen rates enhanced all yield parameters, with the highest values mostly achieved at 20 kg N da⁻¹. However, sowing periods varied by year: spring sowings provided higher yields in 2021, while autumn sowings were more favorable in 2022. In conclusion, determining the appropriate nitrogen rate and selecting a sowing season suited to regional climatic conditions are critical for enhancing annual ryegrass yield, while simultaneously supporting economic and environmental sustainability.

Keywords

How to Cite

AĞIRAĞAÇ, Z., KİTAPÇI , T., & ZORER ÇELEBİ , Şeyda. (2025). Effects of Different Nitrogen Rates on Forage Yield of Italian Ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) under Spring and Autumn Sowing Conditions. ISPEC Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 9(4), 1046–1058. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17421877

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