Alfalfa and Its Seed Production in Albania

Alfalfa and Its Seed Production in Albania

Tahiraj K., Daci F. and Dishnica T.

Forage Research Institute, Fushe-Kruje, Albania

Introduction and Objectives

Alfalfa is the most important forage crop in Albania. After the wheat it takes the second place on a country range for the surface that it is planted.Albania is a very rich country with many species of medicago ssp..You can find approximately 26 wild different species of alfalfa.

Its main objectives were:

To determine the most appropriate ecological zones for the seed production in Albania.
To determine the optimal parameters of the seed cultivation technology.
To determine the dosage and the most appropriate ways of phosphor fertilization.
To determine a more favorable structure of the cultivars for the seed production.

Results

In the hot low zones, the appropriate time for cutting was 10-15 may, but in the high zones it was 01-05 May.

Another experiment was the determination of the most appropriate width of the rows for seed production. According to the experiments the most appropriate width of rows was 45 cm.

Phosphoric fertilization is a main factor on the seed production of alfalfa. We made a study to see the influence of the seven dosages of phosphoric fertilization 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 and 140 kg/ha P₂O₅and the three ways of throwing 100% before planting, 80% before planting and 20% supplementary fertilization, 60% before planting and 40% supplementary fertilization. According to final results it came out that the most appropriate dosages of phosphoric fertilization was 140 kg/ha P₂O₅ and the best way of throwing it was 100% before planting

Another experiment was the influence of height of mowing on the seed production of alfalfa. According to the final results of the experiment it came out that the most appropriate height of cutting is from 8-12 cm.

A particular importance have compared studies between our ecotypes and introduced culrivars of alfalfa. According to the study it come out that the French "Du-Puits" cultivar is better for seed production than every other introduced cultivar.

Summary and conclusions

For seed production the best cultivar is the French one "Du-puits".

The most appropriate width of row for seed production of alfalfa is 45 cm.
The best period for mowing of alfalfa, in low zone is 10-15 May and in the high zone is 01-05 May.
The best mowing’s height is 8-12 cm.
The most appropriate dosage of phosphoric fertilization is 140 kg/ha P₂O₅.
The best way of throwing of phosphoric fertilization is 100% before planting.

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