American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 10 (4): 544-550, 2011 ISSN 1818-6769 © IDOSI Publications, 2011 Corresponding Author: Peiman Zandi, Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic Azad University, Takestan Branch, Iran, Tel: +98-9375836734, Fax: +98-1327562193, E-mail: z_rice_b@yahoo.com. 544 Agronomic Study of Fenugreek Grown under Different In-Row Spacing and Nitrogen Levels in a Paddy Field of Iran Peiman Zandi, Amir Hossein Shirani Rad and Leila Bazrkar-Khatibani 1 1 2 Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, 1 Islamic Azad University, Takestan Branch, Iran Department of Agronomy and Plant Breeding, 2 Mazandaran University, Sari, Iran Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different levels of nitrogen and plant density on yield and yield components of Fenugreek. This study was conducted at Guilan region (Iran) in a Paddy field during 2008-2009 cropping season. The experiment was carried out using split plots based on randomized complete block design with 4 replications. Four levels of nitrogen (0, 25, 50 and 75 kg N haG) as 1 the main factor and four levels of plant density (60, 80, 100 and 120 plants mG) as sub-plots were investigated. 2 Result indicated that nitrogen fertilizer effect was significant on number of pods per branch, number of pods per plant, seed yield and biological yield. Plant density significantly a ffected biological yield (p<0.05). The highest seed yield (1468 kg haG) was produced by using 75 kg N haG. There was positive and significant 1 1 correlation between seed yield and biological yield. According to mean comparisons of simple effects, the highest biological yield belonged to 75 kg N haG and 120 plants mG, respectively. 1 2 Key words: Trigonella foenum-graecum L. %Nitrogen fertilizer %Plant density %Yield INTRODUCTION Manohar [7] found that in a winter crop of fenugreek on Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L) is an 20 kg NhaG and 50 kg P haG. Thapa and Maity [8] annual, self pollinating, legume crop, believed to be native reported that applying 50 kg N haG could be effective in to the Mediterranean region but now, is widely cultivated increasing the yield. Billaud and Adrian [9] suggested in India and other parts of the World [1]. Fenugreek seed using 60 kg N haG and 40kg K O haG for fenugreek is used in foods as a spice, in artificial flavoring of maple cultivation. Duke [10] recommended fenugreek plants be syrup, as a condiment and, in the production of steroid spaced in rows 45 cm apart, 8cm for in-row spacing and and other hormones for the pharmaceutical industry [2]. 22.5kg seed haG rate to be broadcast, while Yadav et al. Fenugreek is a dryland crop but responds well to minimum [11] suggested 30cm spacing, within the rows for sowing. application of irrigation [1, 3], can be a very useful legume Also, Chaudhary [12] suggested fenugreek to be sown crop for incorporation into short-term rotation [4]. using 25kg seed haG. Using nitrogen in fenugreek leads to growth Optimal use of rice paddies and double increase, deferred maturation, producing good leaves, cropping after harvesting rice is of great significance developed stem and the plants’ luxuriant dark-green color here and winter cultivation of fenugreek, when rice which indicates a desired growth. Also, plant density on growers especially in the northern provinces of Iran are the row and within the rows affects the yield and is free from agricultural activities could be an appropriate controlled by the seed rate [5]. strategy. Results from fenugreek cultivation after harvesting The aim of this research was to investigate the effect rice in Mazandaran province (North of Iran) showed that of various rates of nitrogen fertilizer as well as effect of upon using nitrogen fertilizer in the form of 100kg haG planting density on yield and yield components of 1 urea, the highest yield was obtained [6]. Rathore and fenugreek in Paddy fields. loamy sand soils, seed and forage yields were higher with 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1