Lolium perenne L. Production Effect on Row Spacing, Sowing Rate, and Nitrogen Fertilization

Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) is one of most dominant perennial grasses in temperate climate. Temperature is a key factor influencing plant development, and under most climate change scenarios, it will be increasingly important to cultivate L. perenne varieties adapted to new temperature regimes. Understanding the variability in plant responses to temperature and nutritional inputs is therefore essential for breeding improvement. This study examined the effects of spring nitrogen nutrition, sowing rate, and inter-row spacing on the seed yield of the diploid perennial ryegrass variety ‘Naki’ over a three-year period in the central region of the Republic of Serbia. Seed yield in second year is significantly higher (648.9 kg ha-1) than yield obtained in the third year of research. Sowing rate, application of nitrogen fertilizers and inter-row spacing had significant influence on the yield of perennial ryegrass. The year had the significant influence on the production. The third year of research was the most unfavorable for seed yield (208.4 kg ha-1). Across all three years, the highest seed yield was accomplished by sowing in distance on 50 cm in row, with consumption of 9 kg ha-1 of seed in sowing and by application of 90 kg ha-1 of nitrogen. Analysis of variance indicates that there are very significant differences between the sowing rate and the amount of nitrogen, Fekp=5.176 in second year and Fekp=14.507 in third year of research. Breeders should use this revealed diversity to develop future perennial ryegrass cultivars better adapted to evolving climatic conditions.