Differences in Ergocalciferol Content and Some Agronomic Characters Among Growth Stages in Six Field Pea Genotypes

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of different growth stages on ergocalciferol content, yield, some morphological characters and forage quality properties of six field pea genotypes (Töre, Ateş, Taşkent, DYK and Kr). Genotypes were planted in two-factor factorial randomized block design with three replications. Some morphological characters (main stem length, number of branches per plant, number of leaves per main stem and leaf length), herbage and hay yields, ergocalciferol, crude protein, crude fiber, acid detergent fiber, acid detergent lignin and neutral detergent fiber contents were determined at the pre-bud, ¼ bloom and full-bloom stages. The maximum main stem length (127.35-130.07 cm), herbage yield (50.12-50.33 t ha -1 ) and hay yield (10.85-11.77 t ha -1 ) were observed from field pea genotypes 'Ateş' and 'Töre' at full-bloom stage. The lowest leaf length (22.08 cm) and number of leaves per main stem (20.09) were found in field pea genotype '16-K', whereas number of branches per plant (6.42) had its highest in same genotype. Full-bloom stage showed the highest ergocalciferol (9.33 µg kg -1 in fresh matter), crude fiber (20.63 %), neutral detergent fiber (41.46 %), acid detergent fiber (30.54 %) and acid detergent lignin (5.84 %) contents between the other growth stages, whereas crude protein (18.37 %) had its lowest content at same growth stage. According to ergocalciferol content, forage yield and other quality properties, genotypes 'Ateş' and 'Töre' can be sown and cut at full-bloom stage in the Thrace and other regions of Turkey, and probably in similar subtropical conditions.