TÜRK, Mevlüt Süleyman Demirel University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Field Crops, TURKEY , ALBAYRAK, Sebahattin Ondokuzmayis University - Vocational School of Bafra, TURKEY , BOZKURT, Yalçın Süleyman Demirel University - Faculty of Agriculture - Department of Animal Science, TURKEY

The Change in The Forage Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) in Grazing and Non-Grazing Artificially Established Pastures

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This research was conducted to determine the forage quality of alfalfa during grazing season in artificial pasture from the years 2010 to 2012 in Isparta. The mixture of the pasture used were Medicago sativa L. (15%) + Onobrychis sativa Lam. (15%) + Agropyron cristatum L. (35%) + Bromus inermis L. (35%). Forage samples were collected from grazing and non-grazing areas once every 15 days during the grazing seasons. The crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) ratios were determined on the alfalfa forage samples. According to results of this research, the CP, IVDMD, Mg, P and K contents decreased throughout the grazing season, while ADF, NDF and Ca contents increased in grazing and non-grazing areas. The ADF, NDF, Ca, Mg contents of alfalfa in non-grazed areas were higher than the grazed areas, while CP, IVDMD, P and K contents of grazed areas were higher than non-grazed areas. It can be concluded that the harvesting at the late stages caused a reduction in forage quality of alfalfa in grazing and non-grazing areas.

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Artificial pasture , ADF , CP , forage quality , Medicago sativa

Yuzuncu Yil University Journal Of Agricultural Sciences

77