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Forage and Seed Production Potential, Nutritive Value, and Fatty Acid Profile of Fenugreek
Author(s) -
Islam M. Anowarul,
Obour A.K.,
Rule D.C.,
Bandara M.,
Acharya S.N.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
crop science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.76
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1435-0653
pISSN - 0011-183X
DOI - 10.2135/cropsci2016.08.0685
Subject(s) - trigonella , forage , neutral detergent fiber , dry matter , biology , irrigation , cultivar , agronomy , fodder , fatty acid , crop , zoology , botany , biochemistry
Fenugreek ( Trigonella foenum‐graecum L.) is a valuable specialty crop used both as an herb and as a spice. Fenugreek also has potential to be used as an animal feed. This study evaluated 13 entries of fenugreek in two locations in Wyoming (Laramie and Lingle) for forage accumulation, seed yield, nutritive value, and fatty acid profile. The study at Laramie was conducted under irrigated conditions, while that at Lingle was conducted on both irrigated and rain‐fed conditions. Forage accumulations of fenugreek entries grown under irrigated conditions were not different. Location × year interaction ( P = 0.003) influenced forage accumulation, with forage accumulation ranging from 870 kg ha −1 in 2010 at Laramie to 6720 kg ha −1 (2011) at this same location. Entry × year effects on forage accumulation were significant ( P < 0.05) under rain‐fed conditions. The entry (F96) produced greater forage accumulation than commercial fenugreek cultivars Amber and Tristar in 2 out of the 3 yr. Except crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), and fatty acid profile were not different among fenugreek entries when grown under irrigation. Under rain‐fed conditions, entry × year interaction had a significant effect on CP ( P = 0.009) and IVDMD ( P = 0.0007). Seed yield differed among fenugreek entries when grown under irrigation, but the response was not consistent over the 3 yr. Overall, our results demonstrated the potential of fenugreek to diversify forage production in the central Great Plains of Wyoming.