Seed testing of foliar-fertilised red clover crops after various periods of storage

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of foliar fertilisation of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) crops with cobalt, boron and phosphorus-potassium, which could significantly increased seed yield, on seed quality after different periods of storage. The experiment involving four red clover cultivars and four foliar treatments was laid out in a randomised block design with four replications and with a plot size of 5 m2. Red clover cultivars ‘K-37’, ‘K-39’, ‘Una’ and ‘Viola’ were planted at a seeding rate of 18 kg ha-1. Foliar fertilisation with cobalt, boron and phosphorus-potassium was carried out during intensive growth (at BBCH 34-36) in the second year of cultivation. After all storage periods, red clover cultivars differed in root length, seedling mass and hard seededness under all foliar fertilisation treatments. In all storage periods, foliar treatments did not affect germination, stem length, seedling mass and percentage of hard seed in any cultivar (no significant cultivar/foliar treatment interaction). At 20 months of storage, there were no significant differences between foliar treatments and the unfertilised control in any of the studied traits. Foliar nutrients were applied prior to the emergence of generative organs; therefore, the absence of their positive effect on seed development can be associated with their overall short-term effect. The relationship between seed quality and the content of mineral nutrients in the seed after their foliar application at different stages of crop development should be a topic for future research.