Impact of row spacing and seed rate on the production characteristics of the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and their valorisation

Marijana Jovanović Todorović,Velimir Lončarević,Maja Ignjatov,Snežana Janković,Vera Popović,Andreja Mihailović,Savo Vučković,Vladimir Strugar

doi:10.15835/nbha48312057

Abstract

In this paper are shown the results of the production characteristics of the perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) cv. ‘Naki’, which grown in rows with different row spacing and seed rate in the agroecological conditions of central Serbia in three successive analysed years. Four levels of two observed factors were used in the experiment: row spacing (12.5; 25; 37.5 and 50 cm) and seed rate (9, 16, 23 and 30 kg ha-1). Due to the analyses, the height of the tiller, the length of the spike and the number of spikelets per spike gave better results by sowing in wider rows (37.5 and 50 cm) using lower seed rate (9 and 16 kg ha-1). Seed yield and harvest index responded favourably to sowing in rows at a wider row spacing (37.5 and 50 cm) in combination with a lower seed rate (9 and 16 kg ha-1), while shoot dry weight gave better results by sowing in narrower rows (12.5 cm) with lower seed rate (9 and 16 kg ha-1). Using the appropriate row spacing in sowing and the optimum of seed rate provides the highest results of the production characteristics of the perennial ryegrass that can be applied to further production.

Highlights

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), from an agronomic point of view, represent the most important grassland type for pasture in temperate climates and it is the most important type in the genus Lolium (Bolaric et al, 2005)
Weather conditions were monitored from the nearest meteorological station in Smederevska Palanka (SP) in Serbia
They are shown by average values of monthly temperatures and monthly rainfall from September to August year, which coincides with sowing and harvesting of seeds

Summary

Introduction

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), from an agronomic point of view, represent the most important grassland type for pasture in temperate climates and it is the most important type in the genus Lolium (Bolaric et al, 2005). It is a native plant type in Europe from where is widespread to North America, Africa and Australia. In Serbia, it is known as one of the best forage species (Tomić et al, 2007), characterized by high nutritional value and can be used for grazing as well as for hay or silage. Received in revised form: 15 Sep 2020.

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Conclusion