Influence of microelements and attractants on the elements of yield structure and yield of white clover (Trifolium repens L.) seeds

Abstract

A field experiment with the cultivation of white clover for seeds (Barda cv.) was carried out in 2009–2012, in the Experimental Farm in Parczew (22°53'60"E, 51°37'59"N), on typical brown soil (bonitation class IVb), by the split-plot method, in four replicates. The studies included: foliar fertilization with microelements (B + Mo) and attractant – Pollinus. The number of heads per 1 m2, number of pods and seeds in the head as well as the seed yield were determined. Weather conditions had the decisive influence on the yield of seeds and main elements of its structure. The highest seed yield (305.4 kg·ha–1) was obtained in 2010 characterized by more favorable thermal conditions and rainfall in the generative clover sub-period, slightly lower in 2012 (287.7 kg·ha–1), and the lowest in 2011 (49.3 kg·ha–1). Fertilization with microelements (B + Mo) significantly increased the number of heads per 1 m2, the number of seeds in the head and the seed yield. The attractant used at the beginning and full flowering of clover significantly increased the yield of seeds by 35.2 and 78.0 kg·ha–1, respectively. The highest yield of white clover seeds (482.6 kg·ha–1) was obtained due to foliar fertilization with boron and molybdenum and using the attractant – Pollinus to fully flowering plants.