Determination of Morphological, Agricultural and Quality Parameters at Different Growth Stage of Bituminaria bituminosa Genotypes

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine some morphological, agricultural and quality traits at different growth stage (the beginning of growth, stem elongation, budding, flowering and seed set) of Bituminaria bituminosa (L.) C.H. Stirtion (Bitbit) genotypes collected from 25 different locations in Samsun, Sinop and Kastamonu, the Middle Black Sea Region of Turkey. The experiment was conducted in Samsun ecological conditions and was carried out for two years (2012-2013 and 2013-2014) and the observations were conducted in the second year. Plant height, number of branch, main stem diameter, leaflet width and length and leaf ratio, dry plant weight, crude protein, ADF and NDF ratios, K, P, Ca and Mg contents of Bitbit genotypes were investigated. The highest plant height and dry plant weight were determined at the budding stage (118.65 cm and 205.0 g), while the lowest were determined at the beginning of the growth stage (26.32 cm and 58.4 g). Crude protein, ADF and NDF ratios ranged between 7.28-23.41%, 19.80-47.14% and 27.37-56.38%, respectively. According to the correlation and path analysis regarding the agricultural and quality traits at the flowering stage, plant height, main stem diameter, and number of branch had significant positive effects on yield increase, while ADF and NDF ratios had a negative effect on RFV. The highest crude protein yield was obtained at the flowering stage while it was lowest at the beginning of growth. As a result of, Bitbit genotypes harvesting at flowering stage may be the most appropriate in terms of yield and quality traits in Black Sea region conditions.