Influence of some herbicides on forage quality of alfalfa

Plamen Marinov-Serafimov, Yordanka Naydenova, Stanimir Enchev, Tzvetan Kikindonov, Irena Golubinova, Anna Ilieva

Abstract: During 2014 - 2015, at the Institute of Forage Crops - Pleven the selectivity of three herbicides and their influence on the quality of the feed was studied in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) variety Dara - Listego 40 (Imazamox 40 g/l), Kleranda (Metazachlor 375 g/l + Imazamox 17.5 g/l) and Stratos Ultra (Cycloxydim 100 g/l). The enzyme in vitro digestibility of dry and organic matter was determined. Potential energy and protein nutritional value were assessed. Herbicides Listego 40, Kleranda and Stratos Ultra in their respective doses applied in the early growth stages of alfalfa do not affect quality and digestibility of forage. Content of crude protein average for the period of the study is high - from 19.39% in the treatment of the crop at the growth stage third trifoliate leaf with herbicide Stratos Ultra, to 20.13% at the application of Listego 40, while crude fiber content is low and varies from 22.52 to 23.93%, respectively, by treatment with herbicides Listego 40 and Stratos Ultra. Digestibility of dry and organic matter of forage for all treatments of the experiment varied from 59.61 to 60.88% and it is independent on selectivity of studied herbicides to alfalfa. Total digestible protein value (PBD/TDP) on the years is highest for the variants treated with Listego 40 - from 147.4 to 163.3 g/kg, followed by Kleranda - from 143.6 to 160.6 g/kg, and with relatively lower values in variants treated with Stratos Ultra - from 136.4 to 158.6 g/kg, and the differences were statistically unproven (P = 0.05).

Keywords: alfalfa; forage quality; herbicides; in vitro digestibility; Medicago sativa; selectivity

Date published: 2017-05-16