1. Chia (Salvia Hispanica) Fodder Yield and Quality as Affected by Sowing Rates and Organic Fertilization
- Author
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Dimitrios Bilalis, George Zervas, Ioanna Tabaxi, Stelios Tsioros, Eleni Tsiplakou, Ilias Travlos, and Ioanna Kakabouki
- Subjects
0106 biological sciences ,animal diseases ,food and beverages ,Soil Science ,Sowing ,Forage ,04 agricultural and veterinary sciences ,Biology ,01 natural sciences ,Manure ,Crop ,Human fertilization ,Agronomy ,Dry weight ,Fodder ,040103 agronomy & agriculture ,0401 agriculture, forestry, and fisheries ,Leaf area index ,Agronomy and Crop Science ,010606 plant biology & botany - Abstract
This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of sowing rates and organic fertilization on growth and yield biomass quality of chia crop. The agronomic performance and nutritive value of chia were analyzed in order to define alternatives to local forages for dry-season feeding of ruminants in the Mediterranean region. Two sowing rates were arranged in the main plots and three levels of organic fertilization in the subplot with three replicates in split-plot design. Chia growth was not affected by sowing rates and fertilization. Concerning the dry weight and leaf area index (LAI), there were no significant differences among fertilization treatments while sowing rates influenced both dry and LAI, which were significantly increased as sowing rates increased. Forage quality traits were not significantly influenced by sowing rates. With regard to crude protein content, fertilization treatments had a positive effect. The greatest values were observed under manure treatment. Moreover, significant incre...
- Published
- 2016