Effects of Different Growing Stages on The Yield and Some Forage Quality Characteristics of Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) Grown As Second Crop In Mediterranean Climate Condition

This research, in order to determine the effects of different growing stages on the yield and some forage quality characteristics in Sunn Hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) grown as second crop in Mediterranean climate conditions, was carried out in the experimental areas of Ege University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Field Crops in Izmir/Turkey for 2 years (2016-2017). Tillage Sun cultivar obtained from the United States was used as plant material. Plants were harvested in different growing stages (after sowing 8-10-12-14-16. weeks) and yield and some forage quality characteristics (plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, rate of leaf, herbage yield, dry matter yield, crude protein rate, ash rate, NDF, ADF) were investigated. According to the two years average results; plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, herbage yield, dry matter rate, NDF and ADF values were increased and such as rate of leaf, crude protein, crude ash rates were decreased. In Sunn hemp plants, NDF values varied from 60.82-66.61%, ADF 51.65-58.23%, herbage yield 2.917-11.312 kg/da, dry matter yields 693-3.563 kg/da and crude protein rates 15.07-20.06%. As a result, it has been concluded that the Sunn hemp can be successfully grown as second crop in the regions under Mediterranean climate conditions in Turkey