Nutritive value of the genetically divergent genotypes of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

The results of two years investigation of nutritive value of 5 lucerne genotypes are presented in this paper. In the course of three utilization cycles the average amount of crude protein was 197.0 g kg-1 DM; crude fibres, 235.9 g kg-1 DM; crude fat, 15.3 g kg-1 DM; crude ash, 78.0 g kg-1 DM; NFE 379.6 g kg-1 DM, respectively. Average energy value (NEL) was 5.31 MJ kg-1. The highest content of crude protein was found in NS-Slavija (199.4 g kg-1 DM). Višelisna was found to have the lowest content of crude fiber (219.9 g kg-1 DM). Genotype Luzelle was the richest in crude fat (16.9 g kg-1 DM) and in crude ash (81.7 g kg-1 DM), while Višelisna was the richest in NFE (394.0 g kg-1 DM), and energy value (NEL 5.36 MJ kg-1 DM). In the second cycle of lucerne utilization the highest content of crude protein was obtained (211.3 g kg-1 DM), while the lowest content of crude fibres was (218.6 g kg-1 DM). The difference between the genotypes was not significant, but opposite to that the differences between the cuttings were found to be significant. © 2010 Academic Journals.