Seed Yield of Fenugreek in Response to Planting Date, Irrigation, and Harvest Time

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-gracecum) is an important medicinal legume crop known for millennia with properties such as a source of metformin for type 2 diabetes. India produces 75% of the world supply of fenugreek, mostly in the State of Rajasthan. There, fenugreek is grown under conditions similar to western Nebraska, such as soil type and pH, rainfall and temperature. Can the U.S. High Plains be a source of fenugreek products in North America? The objectives of this study is to identify agronomic requirements for growing fenugreek in western Nebraska. The addition of N did not improve yield as the residual soil N was sufficient. Planting date for fenugreek ranged from mid-April to 2 June. Flower and pod formation occurred from late June to mid-July, depending on planting date, and was not affected by irrigation. Irrigation levels were 0, 1.3, and 2.5 cm/week. Irrigation promoted plant growth as measured by height and weight. Harvest date ranged from mid August to early October. There was an evident interaction between planting date, irrigation level, and harvest date with respect to seed yield. Seed yields greater than 1680 kg/ha (1500 lb/a) were achieved under the following conditions: 1) if irrigation is not limiting, then the highest yields were achieved by planting close to June and harvesting between mid-August and mid-September; and 2) if irrigation is limited, planting is best in late May and harvest in September.