Planting and harvest dates, and irrigation on fenugreek in the semi-arid high plains of the USA

Abstract

Fenugreek can be grown for medicinal purposes, as a spice or as an annual hay. Most fenugreek production is in India; none is grown in the USA. Practices suitable for growing fenugreek in the U.S. High Plains is unknown. The objectives were to identify the irrigation need, and planting and harvest dates in western Nebraska. Fenugreek was planted from early May to early June and harvested from late Aug to early Oct. Irrigation consisted of none, 15 and 30cm. Height, flowering and fruiting, and seed and straw yields were measured. Later planting did not affect final height but delayed flowering and fruiting (late June to early Aug). Years differed due to weather variations. Seed and straw yields were greatest with later planting and with earlier harvest in 2013 and 2014. Irrigation affected yields primarily in 2013. The lowest yields were in 2015 when the agronomic parameters had the least effect probably due to the very wet spring conditions. For 2013 and 2014, maximum seed yields ranged from 1724 to 1886kgha−1, and maximum straw yields ranged from 4352 to 4981kgha−1 when planted late, irrigated and harvested in late Aug or early Sep. Recommendations are that when May is very dry, plant near 1 June, irrigate and harvest in late Aug or early Sep, when May is slightly wet, plant in late May, do not irrigate and harvest early Sep, and when May is very wet, do not plant for seed and do not irrigate.