Impact of planting timing on seed yields and productive longevity of eastern goat rue (Galega orientales Lam)

Abstract

Eastern goat’s rue (Galega orientales Lam.) has a complex of economically useful features, which makes it a priority introduced fodder crop in different soil and climatic zones. The initial stages of ontogenesis determine the development of plants and the amount of seed yield of goat’s rue for the next year. In the first year, goat’s rue plants develop slowly, which requires its early sowing. It was found that the highest fullness of sprouts in the range of 50-61% was noted when goat’s rue was sown in the period from May 25 to June 5. Moisture conditions of vegetation seasons have a decisive influence on growth and development of plants in the year of sowing and their preservation during the overwintering period. The highest yield of seeds in the 1st year of using was when sowing goat’s rue from the beginning of May to the middle of the first decade of June which provided accumulation of the sum of effective air temperatures 1409,5-1125,00C and amount of precipitation within the range 373,9-335,7 mm from shoots to the end of vegetation in the year of sowing and 1208,30C with 274,9 mm of precipitation in the second year before harvesting. The highest seed yields in the range of 466-560 kg/ha yieldwere obtained from goat’s rue crops of May and June sowing dates. The influence of sowing dates on seed yields was evident during the first two years. In subsequent years, the value of seed yield is leveled.