SAINFOIN (ONOBRYCHIS ADANS.) RESPONSE TO MINERAL FERTILIZERS THROUGH PRODUCTIVITY AND QUALITY TRAITS UNDER GRAY-BROWN SOIL CONDITIONS
Sabrao Journal of Breeding and Genetics, vol.58, no.3, pp.1415-1425, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 58 Issue: 3
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.54910/sabrao2026.58.3.44
- Journal Name: Sabrao Journal of Breeding and Genetics
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CAB Abstracts, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO)
- Page Numbers: pp.1415-1425
- Keywords: eroded mountain gray-brown soils, forage quality, legume crops, mineral fertilizers, productivity, root development, Sainfoin (Onobrychis Adans.), soil fertility, sustainable pasture management
- Open Archive Collection: Digital Heritage Collection
- Azerbaijan State University of Economics (UNEC) Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Sainfoin (Onobrychis Adans.) is a valuable perennial legume widely cultivated in mountainous areas; however, its minimal productivity often results from degraded mountain gray-brown soils with low fertility and poor structure. The relevant study aimed to evaluate the effect of mineral fertilizer application on root development, productivity, and forage quality of sainfoin for three consecutive years under mountain gray-brown soil conditions. Field experiments had different mineral fertilizer compositions laid out in moderately and severely eroded mountain gray-brown soils for three years to evaluate their impact on the root biomass and morphology, plant growth, yield, and nutritional quality. The results showed balanced mineral fertilization significantly improved the root system, enhancing nutrient uptake and plant stability. Fertilizer application also stimulated the plant’s vegetative growth and development with increased green and dry matter yields compared with the unfertilized control. Forage quality parameters, including crude protein content and fiber composition, also displayed considerable improvement under optimized fertilizer regimes. On average, moderate and well-balanced fertilizer doses provided the best combination of enhanced root development, higher yield, and improved forage quality. Mineral fertilizer application significantly enhanced the sainfoin productivity and feed value and offered practical recommendations for sustainable pasture management in degraded and eroded mountain gray-brown soils.