Effect of fertilization and plant protection treatments on seed yield and seed quality of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.). (21st February 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gaier, Lukas; Krautzer, Bernhard; Graiss, Wilhelm; Klingler, Andreas; Poetsch, Erich M.
• Is Part Of: Grassland science. Volume 68:Number 3(2022)
• Page Start: 277
• Page End: 285
• Publication Date: 2022-02-21
• Subjects: Dactylis glomerata L. -- grass seed crop production -- nitrogen fertilization -- seed quality -- seed yield; Grasslands -- Periodicals; Grasslands -- Management -- Periodicals; 578.74
• DOI: 10.1111/grs.12362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1744-6961

Abstract

Abstract: The propagation and seed multiplication of site‐adapted and drought‐tolerant grass varieties are essential to provide high‐quality forage in temperate grasslands. A field experiment was conducted from 2016–2019 on orchardgrass ( Dactylis glomerata L.) in the province of Styria, Austria. Treatment effects of sulfur, fungicide application and a plant growth regulator, singly and in combination, on seed yield and its reproduction parameters were tested under two different fertilizer nitrogen management systems (single application [N1] and split application [N2]). In terms of seed yield, a combination of all treatments compared to fertilization‐only treatment showed a significant increase of 22% under N2 fertilization. In terms of the thousand seed weight, the fungicide treatments and a combination of all treatments performed significantly better than other treatments within N1 and N2. The use of fungicide and a combination of all treatments also significantly increased the germination capacity in N1. Therefore, a combination of all plant protection treatments is recommended to optimize seed yield, thousand seed weight and germination capacity.