Changes in the Fermentation and Bacterial Community by Artificial Saliva pH in RUSITEC System

The purpose of the study was to assess the artificial saliva (AS) pH on ruminal fermentation and rumen bacteria community in the rumen simulation technique (RUSITEC) system. The experiment was performed in two treatments (low AS pH vs. high AS pH) with four replicates. The low AS pH was sustained by altering the composition of the AS (NaHCO3 from 9.8 to 1.96 g/L, Na2HPO4 from 9.3 to 1.86 g/L) according to McDougall's method. The diets were supplemented with 16 g basic diets with forage to the concentrate ratio of 50:50. The experiments were conducted over 13-day incubation periods, with 9 days adaption and 4 days sample collection. The results showed low AS pH decreased dry matter (DM) degradability (64.37 vs. 58.67%), organic matter (OM) degradability (64.38 vs. 59.32%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) degradability (46.87 vs. 39.94%), acid detergent fiber (ADF) degradability (38.16 vs. 31.13%), and crude protein (CP) degradability (70.33 vs. 62.99%), respectively. Compared with the high AS pH, the low AS pH increased the proportion of butyrate (P = 0.008) and decreased the proportion of propionate (P < 0.001). At the bacteria community, the low AS pH increased the abundances of Spirochaetes (P = 0.001) and Synergistetes (P = 0.004) and decreased the Verrucomicrobia abundance (P = 0.004) in solid-associated bacteria. At the genus level, the low AS pH increased the abundance of Lactobacillus (P = 0.050) and decreased the abundance of Schwartzia (P = 0.002) in solid-associated bacteria. The abundances of Prevotellaceae_YAB2003_group (P = 0.040), Schwartzia (P = 0.002), and Ruminobacter (P = 0.043) were lower in the low AS pH group compared with the high AS pH group in liquid-associated bacteria. Low AS pH decreased the number of Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Fibrobacter succinogenes (P < 0.001) both in the solid- and liquid-associated bacteria, respectively. The results of the present study included three groups of bacteria communities according to the different sensitives to rumen pH: the abundances of Lactobacillus, Succinivibrio, and Prevotella_7 are increased with decreasing AS pH; the amounts of R. albus, R. flavefaciens, F. succinogenes as well as the abundances of Schwartzia and Ruminobacter decreased with the reducing AS pH; the abundances of Selenomonas_1, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and Succiniclasticum were not affected by the AS pH in RUSTITEC.

Download Full-text

In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Mitigation Responded to Flavonoid Extract Levels from Alternanthera sissoo and Dietary Ratios

Fermentation ◽

10.3390/fermentation7030109 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. 109

Author(s):

Sukruthai Sommai ◽

Anusorn Cherdthong ◽

Chanon Suntara ◽

Sarong So ◽

Metha Wanapat ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Methane Production ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Gas Production ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

In Vitro Fermentation

Two experiments were conducted under this study: Experiment 1 was to study production yield, chemical composition, and in vitro degradability of Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo; BS) leaf and leaf + leaf-stalk at various maturity ages of 15, 30, 45, and 60 days after plantation and regrowth and Experiment 2 was to evaluate the effect of flavonoid extract from BS leaf and leaf + leaf-stalk and dietary ratios on ruminal gas production, fermentation characteristics, and in vitro degradability. Experiment 1 showed that maturity ages after planting and regrowth increased, the yield significantly increased. Increasing maturity ages significantly (p < 0.05) increased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content and decreased crude protein content, total flavonoid (TF) content, and degradability for both leaf and leaf + leaf-stalk. Maturity ages from 15 to 30 days after plantation and regrowth resulted (p < 0.05) the highest TF content and degradability for both leaf and leaf + leaf-stalk. Thus, BS leaf and leaf + leaf-stalk samples from 15 to 30 days of age were used for flavonoid extraction and used in the Experiment 2. Experiment 2 was conducted according to a 3 × 5 factorial experiment. Three roughage to concentrate (R:C) ratios at 50:50, 40:60, and 30:70 were used, and five levels of flavonoid extract (FE) at 0, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg of substrate dry matter (DM) were supplemented. Experiment 2 showed that R:C ratio and FE had an interaction effect only on acetate to propionate ratio. Varying R:C ratios significantly increased (p < 0.05) in vitro DM degradability, total volatile fatty acids (VFA), and propionate (C3) concentration. FE supplementation linearly (p < 0.05) increased total VFA and C3 concentration and decreased methane production and protozoal population. This study could conclude that FE from BS could effectively modulate ruminal fermentation and decrease methane production. However, in vivo study needs to elucidate in order to validate the present results.

Download Full-text

PSVII-12 The effects of parity and diet on the rumen function and apparent digestibility in dairy cattle

Journal of Animal Science ◽

10.1093/jas/skab235.803 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 99 (Supplement_3) ◽

pp. 451-451

Author(s):

YangYi Hao ◽

Shuai Huang ◽

Shengli Li

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Mixed Model ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Rumen Ph ◽

Fermentation Profile ◽

Function Difference

Abstract The primiparity and multiparity dairy cattle were fed in the same diet and different barn in the scaled farm because heifer has a lower social hierarchy. There is little attention to the rumen function difference of these cattle. Here we selected thirty-two dairy cattle and separated them into four groups: prime-prepartum (PP), prime-lactation (PL), multi-prepartum (MP), and multi-lactation (ML) (n=8). The PP and MP groups were given high-roughage diets, and the other two groups were given high-grain diets. The rumen fluid and feces were sampled from each animal. The rumen fluid enzyme activity, fermentation profile, and apparent digestibility were analyzed using SAS’s PROC MIXED model (SAS version 9.4, SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). β-glucosidase and amylase were affected by the parity and diet (P < 0.05). Cellulase was affected by the parity, and dehydrogenase was affected by parity and diet interaction (P < 0.05). Rumen pH, NH3-N, microbial crude protein (MCP), isovalerate, and acetate/propionate (A/P) were affected by parity (P < 0.05). MCP and volatile fatty acid were affected by the diets (P < 0.05). The rumen pH, acetate, propionate, and butyrate were affected by parity and diet interaction (P < 0.05). The apparent digestibility of the neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, crude protein (CP), and ether extract (EE) were affected by the diet and the interaction of diet and parity (P < 0.05). The CP and EE apparent digestibility were only affected by the parity (P < 0.05). Our results indicated beside the diet, the parity also affected the rumen function and apparent digestibility. Although the dairy cattle in the same physical stage, the parity effects on the rumen function and digestibility should be considered when making the diet formula.

Download Full-text

Glycerol inclusion levels in corn and sunflower silages

Ciência e Agrotecnologia ◽

10.1590/s1413-70542014000500009 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 38 (5) ◽

pp. 497-505 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Adriana de Souza Martins ◽

Juliane Ribeiro de Oliveira ◽

Marili Lopes Lederer ◽

José Luís Moletta ◽

Shivelly Los Galetto ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Cycle ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

High Efficiency ◽

Corn Silage ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Ph Values ◽

Four Levels

Due to the seasonal cycle of forage, the use of silage to feed animals provides nutrients throughout the year. However, its quality can be improved with the inclusion of additives and other products. Glycerol is a rich source of energy and present a high efficiency of utilization by animals. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the effect of glycerol inclusion on the chemical and fermentation characteristics of corn and sunflower silages. Two silage sources (maize and sunflower) were used and four levels of glycerol inclusion (0, 15, 30 and 45%) based on dry matter were carried out. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 2 x 4 factorial arrangement with five replications. The pH values and chemical composition of corn and sunflower silages were determined. In both silages there was increment of dry matter, non-fiber carbohydrates and total digestible nutrients (TDN) added to a reduction of crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber due to the glycerol inclusion. The corn silage required 45% glycerol to achieve the TDN level of the sunflower silage. The glycerol addition contributed to the increase in the nutritional value, offsetting loss of quality in the ensiling process.

Download Full-text

Nutritional Characterization of Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) for Feeding to Ruminants

ESPOCH Congresses: The Ecuadorian Journal of S.T.E.A.M. ◽

10.18502/espoch.v1i5.9570 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

F. Almeida López ◽

P. Toalombo Vargas ◽

S. Jiménez Yánez ◽

M. Chávez Haro

Keyword(s):

Medicago Sativa ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Central Zone ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Nitrogen Free Extract ◽

Palabras Clave ◽

Nutritional Characteristics ◽

Region Data

This study aimed to analyze the nutritional characteristics of Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) hay for the feeding of ruminants in the central zone of the Sierra Region. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of the Faculty of Pecaurias Sciences of the Higher Polytechnic School of Chimborazo. Cutting was carried out for 60 days in different areas of the central Sierra region. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results of the bromatological analysis showed that the average total humidity was 11.12 ± 0.20% in (Rp-00542) while the minimum was 7.79 ± 0.05% in (Rp-00224). Values for dry matter ranged between 91.25 ± 0.03% (Rp336) and 88.53 ± 0.09% (Rp492); dry base ash ranged between 12.51 ± 0.08% (Rp500) and 9.16 ± 0.08% (Rp521); dry organic matter ranged between 90.84 ± 0.13% (Rp521) and 87.49 ± 0.08% (Rp521); and dry crude protein ranged between 22.44 ± 0.26% (Rp492) and 18.73 ± 0.08% (Rp336). The following values were also obtained: 1.94 ± 0.93% dry ethereal extract; 32.06 ± 2.11% dry nitrogen free extract; 46.96 ± 3.78% dry neutral detergent fiber; 40.67 ± 3.36% dry acid detergent fiber; and 8.23 ± 0.64% dry lignin detergent acid. Therefore, it can be determined that forage mixture provides all of the nutrients to the species of zootechnical interest. Keywords: Medicago sativa, alfalfa, sierra centro, rumiants. RESUMEN En el Laboratorio de la Facultad de Ciencias Pecaurias de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo, se realizó la Caracterización Nutricional de henos de Medicago sativa (Alfalfa) para la alimentación de Rumiantes en la zona centro de la Región Sierra; Mediante estadística descriptiva se obtuvo los siguientes resultados del análisis bromatológico a los 60 días de corte en las diferentes zonas de la región Sierra - Centro, se puede observar que el mayor promedio de la humedad total fue 11,12 ± 0,20% en (Rp-00542) mientras que el menos fue 7,79 ± 0,05% en (Rp-00224); para Materia Seca-Total los valores se obtuvieron entre 91,25 ± 0,03% (Rp336) y 88,53 ± 0,09% (Rp492); Cenizas base seca 12,51 ± 0,08% (Rp500) y 9,16 ± 0,08% (Rp521); el mayor valor para % Materia Orgánica Base seca fue de 90,84 ± 0,13% (Rp521) y el menor con 87,49 ± 0,08% (Rp521); para % Proteína cruda base seca la mejor respuesta fue 22,44 ± 0,26 (Rp492) % y el menor 18,73 ± 0,08 (Rp336), Fibra cruda base seca; 1,94 ± 0,93% Extracto etéreo base seca; 32,06 ± 2,11% Extracto Libre de Nitrógeno base seca; 46,96 ± 3,78% Fibra Detergente Neutro base seca; 40,67 ± 3,36% Fibra Detergente Acida base seca; 8,23 ± 0,64% Lignina Detergente Acida base seca. Por lo que se puede determinar que la mezcla forrajera aporta todos los nutrientes a todas las especies de interés zootécnico. Palabras clave: Medicago sativa, alfalfa, sierra centro, rumiantes.

Download Full-text

Nutritive value of sugarcane silages with different bacterial additives and fermentation periods

Revista Brasileira de Saúde e Produção Animal ◽

10.1590/s1519-9940210212020 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Author(s):

Ivone Rodrigues da Silva ◽

Francirose Shigaki ◽

Rosane Cláudia Rodrigues ◽

Ana Paula Ribeiro Jesus ◽

Clésio dos Santos Costa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Soluble Fraction ◽

B Value ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Fermentation Period

ABSTRACT The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive value of sugarcane silage with or without inoculation with P. acidipropionici or L. buchneri, over three fermentation periods. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 3 x 3 inoculant by fermentation period factorial arrangement (without inoculant, inoculant 1, inoculant 2; x three fermentation periods, 10, 60, 90 days). Values of pH, dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicellulose (HEM) and lignin were determined and in situ DM degradability profiles were modelled for parameters a, b and c, potential degradation (A) and effective degradability (ED). The 90 day fermentation yielded a lower pH for both inoculants. There was an interaction between inoculant and fermentation period (P < 0.05) for DM content, with a reduction in silage DM without the additive at 90 days. The CP, HEM, ADF and lignin contents of sugarcane were not influenced by the treatments. The addition of P. acidipropionici provided the lowest NDF content at 10 days and presented a higher fraction a, potential degradation and ED. At 60 days, there was no variation in soluble fraction, the control silage showed a higher fraction b, higher potential degradation and ED. At 90 days of fermentation, L. buchneri silages presented a higher fraction a, degradation rate and DE and a higher b value was obtained in the silage without inoculant. Inoculants are effective in maintaining the silage DM content and nutritional value during prolonged fermentation periods.

Download Full-text

Nutritional composition of 'Ponta Negra' forage sorghum silage enriched with dried Leucaena leucocephala forage

Semina Ciências Agrárias ◽

10.5433/1679-0359.2019v40n5supl1p2397 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (5Supl1) ◽

pp. 2397

Author(s):

Clésio dos Santos Costa ◽

Rosane Cláudia Rodrigues ◽

Ricardo Alves de Araújo ◽

Francisco Naysson de Sousa Santos ◽

Giovanne Oliveira Costa Sousa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Lignin Content ◽

Nutritional Composition ◽

Gas Production ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Linear Effect ◽

Inclusion Level ◽

Sorghum Silage

he aim of this study was to evaluate fermentation and chemical characteristics and the in situ degradability of sorghum silages enriched with dried Leucaena. The experiment was conducted as completely randomized design with four treatments (0 - control silage, silage without leucaena; 10.0, 20.0, or 30.0% inclusion of Leucaena) and five replicates, totaling 20 experimental units. The inclusion levels of leucaena influenced (P 0.05), with all silages having values above 90%. Gas loss decreased (P < 0.05) as the level of leucine increased in sorghum silage. A linear increase was observed for dry matter (P ? 0.0001) and crude protein (P = 0.0008) contents in response to Leucaena inclusion. There was a linear (P < 0.05) linear effect on neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose and acid detergent fiber. As leucaena inclusion levels increased, for each 1% inclusion a reduction of 0.179 was observed; 0.059 and 0.119% for the values of neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose and acid detergent fiber respectively. The inclusion of leucaena influenced (P < 0.05) the increase of silage lignin levels, probably due to the higher lignin content of the legume. The soluble fraction (a) of the silages increased along with the Leucaena inclusion levels, with highest values observed at the inclusion of 20 and 30% of the legume, respectively. Potential degradation (A) increased linearly with the levels of Leucaena added to the silage; the highest value for this variable was observed at 30% inclusion. Effective degradability (ED) increased up to the inclusion level of 20% (46.77%). Degradation rate (c) decreased markedly with the use of 30% Leucaena. The use of the forage part of Leucaena dried for three hours leads to reduced gas production, increased dry matter and crude protein contents, and decreased fiber contents. The degradability of dry matter increases up to the inclusion level of 20%.

Download Full-text

Comparison of Fall-Applied Pronamide with Spring-Applied Sethoxydim for Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) Control in Established Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

Weed Science ◽

10.1017/s0043174500067163 ◽

1986 ◽

Vol 34 (3) ◽

pp. 444-448 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Gilles D. Leroux ◽

Robert G. Harvey

Keyword(s):

Chemical Composition ◽

Medicago Sativa ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Total Yield ◽

Late Spring ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Herbicide Treatments ◽

Agropyron Repens

Established stands of alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) at two field locations were treated at one date in the fall with pronamide [3,5-dichloro (N-1,1-dimethyl-2-propynil) benzamide] at 0.8 and 1.6 kg ai/ha and at two dates in the spring with sethoxydim {2-[1-(ethoxyimino)butyl]-5-[2-(ethylthio)propyl]-3-hydroxy-2-cyclohexen-1-one} at 0.3 and 0.6 kg ai/ha for the control of quackgrass [Agropyron repens(L.) Beauv. # AGRRE]. Herbicide efficacy was compared by measuring botanical and chemical composition and yield of forage. Both chemicals suppressed quackgrass in first-cutting herbage. While sethoxydim at the higher rate was equivalent to pronamide for increasing the proportion of alfalfa in forage, pronamide was superior for increasing seasonal total yield. Late postemergence applications of sethoxydim were more effective for quackgrass regrowth control than earlier spring applications. Controlling quackgrass in late spring resulted in lower crude protein (CP) content in first-cutting forage than did controlling it in fall. Alfalfa competing with untreated quackgrass had a lower CP content than where quackgrass was controlled with herbicides. All herbicide treatments reduced the neutral-detergent fiber (NDF) of the herbage. As measured by the acid-detergent fiber (ADF) concentration of alfalfa, sethoxydim slightly retarded spring growth of the legume.

Download Full-text

Effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility and consumption time of diet for equines

Arquivo Brasileiro de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia ◽

10.1590/1678-4162-9844 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 70 (1) ◽

pp. 29-36

Author(s):

F.C.D. Araújo ◽

M.G. Cruz ◽

J.C.C. Balieiro ◽

M.L. Menezes ◽

C.G. Moreira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Particle Size ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Live Weight ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Apparent Digestibility ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Dietary Nutrients ◽

Before And After

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of odontoplasty on apparent digestibility of diet for horses, consumption time, and particle size of feces. Nine horses were used, aged 14.5±3.3 years and weightng 531±38.7kg. The diet consisted of 1.5% of live weight (LW) in Tifton 85 hay and 0.75% of LW in concentrate for both assays. The experiment consisted of two tests of apparent digestibility using the method of total collection, before and after the odontoplasty, where the consumption time of hay and concentrate was also evaluated and the particle size of the feces was analyzed. An effect (P<0.05) of odontoplasty on the apparent digestibility coefficients of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber was observed. Effect of the consumption time for the concentrate (P<0.05) was observed, but not for the forage (P<0.05). There was more retention (P<0.05) of the fecal particles in the sieves of bigger granulometry. The odontoplasty increases the digestibility of dietary nutrients and feces particle size, without changing feces quality. Animals after the procedure have shorter concentrate consumption time.

Download Full-text

Influence of stocking rate and advancing season on forage intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in steers supplemented with dried distillers grains with solubles while grazing northern Great Plains rangelands1

Translational Animal Science ◽

10.1093/tas/txaa159 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Kayla E Chilcoat ◽

Matthew S Crouse ◽

Michael R Undi ◽

Joel S Caton ◽

Bryan W Neville

Keyword(s):

Great Plains ◽

Crude Protein ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Northern Great Plains ◽

Stocking Rate ◽

Ruminal Fermentation ◽

Grazing Season ◽

Distillers Grains With Solubles ◽

Ruminal Ph ◽

Stocking Rates

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of stocking rate and advancing season on diet chemical composition, intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation in steers supplemented with distillers grains with solubles [0.3% of body weight (BW)] while grazing northern Great Plains rangelands. Angus cross beef steers (n = 188; 320 ± 30.3 kg initial BW) were used to establish targeted stocking rates, and 12 ruminal cannulated steers (272 ± 20.0 kg initial BW) were used for diet sampling while cograzing with the noncannulated animals on 12 pastures (n = 3 per treatment). Stocking rates were set to target 65%, 50%, 35%, and 20% of an average annual above-ground biomass remaining at the end of the grazing season (May–September). Five 10-d collection periods were conducted for May 13–22, June 10–19, July 8–17, August 5–14, and September 2–11. There was no difference in steer BWs or average daily gain during any of the collection periods or between stocking rate (P ≥ 0.10). Organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber of forage masticate samples were not affected (P ≥ 0.25) by stocking rate. Crude protein, and all N fractions of forage masticates also did not differ between stocking rate treatments (P ≥ 0.18). Forage OM intake (grams per kilogram of BW) increased cubically across the entire grazing season (P = 0.05). Organic matter digestibility decreased quadratically (P < 0.01) from May to September. Neutral detergent fiber digestibility showed a cubic effect (P < 0.01) across the grazing season, increasing from May to June, then decreasing till September. Crude protein digestibility decreased linearly (P < 0.01) as the season advanced. Ruminal ammonia and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were affected by stocking rate × period interactions (P ≤ 0.02). Ruminal pH, ammonia, and VFA concentrations were not affected by the stocking rate (P > 0.13) but were impacted by the advancing season (P < 0.01). Ruminal pH increased quadratically (P ≤ 0.01) with advancing season (6.3 to 6.6 ± 0.05 from May to September, respectively). The results of this study demonstrate that intake, fermentation, and digestibility of northern Great Plains forages were influenced more by seasonal factors associated with forage maturity than stocking rate under the conditions of this study.

Download Full-text

Assessment of yield and quality characteristics of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars with different fall dormancy rating

Legume Research - An International Journal ◽

10.18805/lr-364 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Mustafa Avci ◽

Rüºtü Hatipoglu ◽

Selahattin Çinar ◽

Numan Kiliçalp

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Quality Parameters ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Dry Matter Yield ◽

Acid Detergent Fiber ◽

Yield And Quality ◽

Fall Dormancy ◽

Feed Value ◽

Medicago Sativa L

This research was conducted to determine performances of seven alfalfa cultivars with different fall dormancy rates in terms of dry matter yield and some quality parameters under Mediterranean conditions throughout the years of 2007-2009. In the study, cultivars were evaluated for dry matter yield (DMY), leaf/stem ratio (LSR), crude protein (CP) content, crude protein yield (CPY), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM) content and relative feed value (RFV). According to average of two year results, there were significant differences among alfalfa cultivars in terms of all characters studied. Mean DMY, LSR, contents of CP, ADF, NDF, DDM and RFV were determined as 18.147 t ha-1, 0.82, 17.4 %, 41.0 %, 49.0 %, 56.9 % and 114. The highest DMY averaged over two years was obtained from cultivar Nimet while lowest one was obtained from Magnum 5. As a dormant cultivar, Magnum 5 was superior in terms of LSR and CP content to the other alfalfa cultivars and it was lower in ADF and NDF content than the others. It was concluded that cultivar Nimet with the highest DMY and CPY yields can be recommended as a non-dormant cultivar for farmers in regions of Turkey with the Mediterranean climate.

Download Full-text