Forage quality characteristics of subterranean clover biomass

Yordanka Naydenova, Viliana Vasileva

Abstract: Subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is a widespread component in the pastures of the temperate areas of Central and Northern Europe and America. The results from the studies conducted during the last years in Bulgaria showed that subterranean clover has practical applicability as a component of pasture stands under the climatic conditions of the country. The object of the present work is
three subspecies of subterranean clover, i.e., Trifolium subterraneum ssp. brachycalicinum, Trifolium subterraneum ssp. yaninicum and Trifolium subterraneum ssp. subterraneum. They are grown in pure swards and in triple mixtures between them (33: 33: 33%) on the experimental field of the Institute
of Forage Crops, Pleven (2011 – 2013). The analysis of composition and enzyme in vitro digestibility show that subterranean clover forage biomass is well balanced by principal chemical composition. The lowest degree of lignifcation and the highest forage quality belong to Trifolium subterraneum ssp. yaninicum, followed by Trifolium subterraneum ssp. brachycalicinum and Trifolium subterraneum ssp. subterraneum. The forage biomass of Trifolium subterraneum ssp. brachycalicinum is distinguished the highest energy feeding value. Forage biomass of subterranean clover mixture composed from the three subspecies is more digestible than the forage of each one subterranean clover subspecies,
grown in pure swards. Protein feeding value of forage mixture biomass is high, near to those of Trifolium subterraneum ssp. brachycalicinum.

Keywords: composition; feeding value; forage; in vitro digestibility; subterranean clover

Date published: 2017-08-09