Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment

Growth, persistence and quality of Trigonella arabica Del. and Trigonella caelesyriaca Boiss. grown in the semi-arid rangeland north of Jordan

Author(s):

Maher J. Tadros ^1*, Moh’d Khair J. El-Shatnawi ¹, Rehmah Q. Jaradat ²

Recieved Date: 2010-10-18, Accepted Date: 2011-01-14

Abstract:

Understanding the growth and development of Trigonella arabica and Trigonella caelesyriaca seeds and plants is considered crucial for maintaining and enhancing their natural survival under arid and semiarid conditions. Both species are native forb species adapted to Jordan climate. Two experiments were conducted to investigate the seed dormancy, application of fusilade herbicide (fluazifop-P-butyl, 125g L^-1), seasonal dry matter accumulation and morphological changes of T. arabica and T. caelesyriaca grown at Jordan University of Science and Technology Campus which located 22 km east of Irbid (32°34’N, 36°01’E). The two species had hard seed coat dormancy, and mechanical seed scarification was effective in breaking this dormancy. Mechanical scarification using a blender was the most effective method which exhibited 95% germination while the germination of the untreated seeds was only about 12%. The application of herbicide and date after emergence (DAE) affected the morphological traits (canopy area, branches) as well as the total dry matter accumulation in both species. The highest total dry matter accumulation, plant height, canopy area and branches were obtained on the 8^th of May. The morphological attributes and total dry matter accumulation increased with time. For example, the number of secondary branches of fusilade-treated plants was increased from 1 to 15 per plant, whereas the control branches were increased from 1 to 5 during 11^th February and 8^th May, respectively. Also, dry matter increased drastically during the period from 11^th March (331.0 kg ha^-1) to 23^rd April (1230 kg ha^-1) for fusilade treatment, whereas increases in shoot weight of the control were from 120 and 370 kg ha^-1. The crude protein content declined gradually with age and reached about 10.5-11.5% at maturity under both fusilade and control treatments. Both species are a valuable source of feed and it is important to increase their population especially in the rangeland areas of northern Jordan.

Keywords:

Arid and semi-arid, crude protein, dry matter yield, fusilade herbicide, germination, morphology, rangeland, seed dormancy, Trigonella

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Journal: Journal of Food, Agriculture and Environment
Year: 2011
Volume: 9
Issue: 1
Category: Agriculture
Pages: 389-393

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