Yield and quality characteristics of pastures with different plant densities

Fikret Saygin; Kagan Kokten; Meliha Feryal Sarikaya; Muhammed Tatar; Ilker Yuce; Tolga Karakoy; Guneren Cicek

doi:10.59515/rma.2026.v47.i1.46

Authors

Fikret Saygin Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye
Kagan Kokten Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye
Meliha Feryal Sarikaya Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye
Muhammed Tatar Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye
Ilker Yuce Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye
Tolga Karakoy Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye
Guneren Cicek Sivas University of Science and Technology, Sivas-58000, Türkiye

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59515/rma.2026.v47.i1.46

Keywords:

ADF, Hay yield, NDF, Pasture, Plant densities.

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the yield and quality characteristics of Aciyurt pastures with different plant densities in Ulaş district of Sivas province in the Central Anatolia Region of Türkiye. For this purpose, to determine the vegetation’s plant density, 10 m resolution Sentinel 2A satellite images of April and May 2021 were used, NDVI data were created and 4 different vegetation densities (very high, high, medium and very low) were determined. Hay yield, botanical composition, and forage quality characteristics differed significantly among pastures with different plant densities, with hay yield ranging from 1.662 to 4.292 tons/ha and the highest overall performance was observed in pastures with very high plant density. The findings indicate that the very high plant density pastures were best for hay yield and quality within the borders of Ulas and Altinyayla districts of Sivas province.