The impact of fertilizing on fenugreek yield (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and diosgenin content in the plant drug

The impact of fertilizing on the seed yield and the diosgenin content in fo ur cultivars (Margaret, Ionia, Barbara, Paul) of fenugreek (Trigonella foen um-graecum L.) was observed in a three-year field experiment (1995-1997) on two diverse climatological and pedological localities in Slovenia (Rakican , Vinjole). The seed yields and their diosgenin contents were compared in a ll four cultivars after various fertilizing schemes that had been applied ( organic fertilization with no addition of nitrogen fertilizers, optimum fer tilization with mineral nitrogen, high dosage of nitrogen fertilizers and c ontrol treatment without fertilizers). When compared to the control treatme nt, high nitrogen fertilizing (170 kg/ha) had no impact on the seed yield. Application of 30 kg N/ha (optimal nitrogen fertilization dosage) or of org anic matter (43 t R-substrate/ha) increased the seed yield on poor soil. Th e content of diosgenin, measured with GC, was not significantly influenced by different fertilizing schemes (a = 0.01). The lowest content of diosgeni n was observed in cv. Ionia, the highest in cv. Margaret and in cv, Paul, w hich had simultaneously the highest absolute weight of seed. The yield of d iosgenin per hectare can be increased only with selection of a cultivar wit h a high seed yield (Ionia, Barbara).