Fenugreek (
Trigonella foenum-graecum
L.) is a medicinal
plant that has been recognized for its numerous health
benefits throughout the centuries. The species is a rich
source of biogenic elements, and it has a favorable
composition of fatty acids. This study evaluated the effect
of agrotechnological factors on the chemical composition
of fenugreek seeds. The experiments conducted in northeastern
Poland had a fractional factorial design with 54
plots. A total of five agrotechnological factors were tested:
seed inoculation with
Rhizobium meliloti
, sowing date,
row spacing, weed control, and protection against fungal
pathogens. The chemical composition of fenugreek seeds
was influenced mainly by sowing date, row spacing and
plant protection. Fenugreek seeds grown in north-eastern
Poland contained 26.0% protein and 4.8% oil. Delayed
sowing increased N content (9.2%) and decreased the
content of P (8.8%), K (5.1%) and Mg (2.8%). An
increase in row spacing from 15 cm to 45 cm promoted
the accumulation of Fe (31%). Agrotechnological factors
induced the greatest variations in the composition of
saturated fatty acids (mean difference of up to 14.5%),
followed by monounsaturated (up to 9.5%) and
polyunsaturated fatty acids (up to 4.5%). Total unsaturated
fatty acids accounted for 80% of the fatty acid profile,
with a predominance of essential fatty acids in oil: linoleic
acid (37.9%) and α-linolenic (28.2%) acid. Sowing date
and weed control were responsible for up to 3.1%-4.5%
of differences in concentrations of essential fatty acids
between treatments.
