Tristar fenugreek

Abstract

Tristar is an annual forage legume cultivar of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graceum). This cultivar was developed at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) Research Centre, Lethbridge, AB. Tristar biomass yield was 2 and 11% higher than the check cultivar Amber under dryland and irrigated conditions, respectively. This cultivar produced 26% more seed yield than Amber under irrigated condition in southern Alberta. Tristar will be an attractive alternative to alfalfa in short-term rotations as it produces as much biomass as two cuts of alfalfa and unlike alfalfa is bloat free and contains the steroidal compound diosgenin. Key words: Fenugreek, Trigonella foenum-graecum, annual legume, forage yield, forage quality