Foliar Applied Calcium Improves Seed Yield and Yield Components of Alfalfa

A field experiment was carried out during 2009 to 2012. Calcium chloride (CaCl2) at five levels (0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 mg g(-1)) was applied as foliar sprays at the initial and peak flowering of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and data were recorded for seed yield and yield components. Results showed that the year, calcium (Ca) levels and the interaction affected significantly seed yield and yield components except seeds per pod. The highest seed yield was obtained in 2012 (746.82 kg ha(-1)) and lowest in 2010 (116.08 kg ha(-1)). With the Ca levels increasing from 0.2 to 0.8 mg g(-1), the highest seed yield (585.41 kg ha(-1)) was obtained for the 0.4 mg g(-1) treatment. Additionally, flowers per raceme (r=0.56**) and pods per raceme (r=0.61**) was significantly and positively correlated with alfalfa seed yield, respectively. Path analysis depicted that pods per raceme influenced positively and directly seed yield (pc=0.60**) and flowers per raceme had a positively indirect effect via pods per raceme on seed yield (pc=0.40**). Racemes per square meter negatively and directly affected seed yield (pc=-0.223), but racemes per square meter had a positively indirect effect via pods per raceme on seed yield (pc=0.23). It could be suggested that 0.4 mg g(-1) Ca level was beneficial for improving alfalfa seed yield and pods per raceme as crucial yield component in alfalfa. (C) 2016 Friends Science Publishers