Effects of Zinc on Yield and Quality of Forage Pea [Pisum sativum ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.]

Zinc (Zn) is one of the most important micronutrients that can increase the growth, yield attributes, yield, quality and nutritional value of plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of zinc sulphate (ZnSO4·7H2O) application at different concentrations (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 kg ha-1) on forage yield and quality and mineral content of the plant in forage pea [Pisum sativum ssp. arvense (L.) Poir.] (cv. Özkaynak) under semi-arid climate conditions. The response variables included stem diameter, plant height, green forage yield, hay yield, crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, total phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg). As a result of the research, it was determined that the Zn doses applied from the soil had meaningful effects on the green forage yield (p