GOAT PEA (SECURIGERA SECURIDACA L.) SEED YIELD AND PHYTOCHEMICALS IMPROVEMENT THROUGH CROP MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The presented trial carried out at the District Baqubah, Diyala Governorate, Iraq, assessed the effects of three planting dates (15 October, 05, and 25 November 2018) and four levels of organic fertilizer (0, 150, 250, and 350 kg ha-1) on the seed yield and chemical composition of the goat pea (Securigera securidaca L.). The experiment in a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement had three replications. The results showed that the 15 October planting was significantly superior in the percentage and yield of oil and the total content of phenols and glycosides, which amounted to 3.86%, 14.17 kg ha-1, 1.23 mg g-1, and 29.44 mg g-1, respectively. The organic fertilizer treatment, 350 kg ha-1, proved superior and provided the highest oil yield (14.48 kg ha-1), while organic fertilizer, 250 kg ha-1, was higher in the oil content (3.90%) and phenols (1.21 mg g-1). The interaction between 15 October planting and organic fertilizer, 250 kg ha-1, revealed a significant increase in oil percentage and the total content of phenols and glycosides, which amounted to 4.01%, 1.24 mg g-1, and 29.68 mg g-1, respectively. However, the interaction of the 15 October planting with organic fertilizer, 350 kg ha-1, was superior in the oil yield (15.23 kg ha-1).