Herbage yield and biochemical characterization of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) under different irrigation levels

• Published in: Industrial crops and products Vol. 210; p. 118071
• Main Authors: Kaplan, Mahmut, Kaymaz, Engin, Varol, Ihsan Serkan, Ciftci, Beyza, Gokalp, Zeki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01-04-2024
• Subjects: Amino acids; Fatty acids; Feed quality; Fenugreek; Irrigation; Minerals; Fenugreek; Irrigation; Amino acids; Minerals; Feed quality; Fatty acids
• DOI: 10.1016/j.indcrop.2024.118071
• EISSN: 1872-633X
• ISSN: 0926-6690

On-going global warming results in depletion of water resources. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the effect of irrigation levels on different plants for productivity and quality in agriculture. Impacts of different irrigation levels on green and dry herbage yield and quality of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) were investigated in this study. Field trails were conducted for two years (2021 and 2022) with 5 different irrigation levels (IWT100: 100%, IWT75: 75%, IWT50: 50% and IWT25: 25% of depleted water and IWT0: rain-fed). The highest crop water productivity (CWP) was obtained from IWT75 treatments. Fenugreek plants were found to be drought sensitive in terms of green herbage yield and tolerant in terms of dry herbage and protein yield. Green Herbage (from 4715.07 to 14,154.55 kg ha−1), dry herbage (from 1038.13 to 2977.49 kg ha−1) and crude protein (from 245.85 to 558.67 kg ha−1) yields increased with increasing irrigation levels. Irrigations increased cell-wall components and crude ash content and reduced protein, oil and condensed tannin contents. Irrigations increased minerals, except for Ca and K. Irrigations also increased fatty acids, except for linoleic acid. The highest palmitic acid content was obtained from IWT25 and stearic acid content from IWT50 and IWT75 treatments. The highest total amino acids were obtained from IWT0 and IWT50 and total essential amino acids from IWT50 treatments. Based on present findings, IWT50 and IWT75 irrigation treatments could be recommended for high yield and quality in fenugreek cultivation.
●Irrigation was increased yield, mineral and fatty acid compositions improved.●Irrigation was decreased protein and oil ratios decreased.●Irrigation of 50 or 75% of field capacity are enough for yield and forage quality in fenugreek cultivation.●The best results in terms of amino acid composition were obtained from I50 irrigation.●With increasing irrigation levels, ADF, NDF, ADL, crude fiber and ratios increased.