Nutritive Value of Four Lucerne Cultivars Planted in Two Soil Types at Bathurst Research Station, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- 1 Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne ADI, Stutterheim, South Africa
- 2 Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne ADI, Stutterheim, South Africa
- 3 Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- 4 Centre for Sustainable Agriculture, University of Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
- 5 Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Cradock Experimental Farm, Cradock, South Africa
- 6 Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne ADI, Stutterheim, South Africa
- 7 Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne ADI, Stutterheim, South Africa
Abstract
Medicago sativa (lucerne) is a widely used perennial fodder crop and ranked amongst the highly nutritive fodders globally. This study assessed the nutritive value ( i.e. CP % and TDN %) of four lucerne cultivars under two soil types at Bathurst Research Station. A random grid (quadrant) sampling method was used for sampling and samples were submitted to the laboratory for analysis to determine forage quality. Data collection was carried out by separating harvested biomass for each cultivar using clean packs, weighed and dried at 70 ˚ C for 48 hours then crude protein (CP %) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN %) were determined. The results of the study showed that soil type (site) had a significant (P < 0.05) effect on the overall quality of dry matter produced. In soil 1 (S1) the overall CP % content was 11.48% while it was 19.03% in soil 2 (S2). Cultivar 3 (KKS 9911) was the least nutritive cultivar in site 1, while the same cultivar was the most nutritive cultivar in site 2 pertaining CP content. Soil type also significantly affected (P < 0.05) the overall total digestible nutrient (TDN %) content of different lucerne cultivars. In S1, C4 (WL 525) had the highest (P < 0.05) TDN content in comparison to the rest of the cultivars while in the same soil type C1 (SA Std.) had the least TDN content. The four tested lucerne cultivars generally produced highly nutritive lucerne in S2 while they produced less nutritive lucerne in relation to both CP and TDN content in S1.
- Wasserman, V.D., Hardy, M.B. and Eckard, R.J. (2000) Pasture Legumes. In: Tainton, N.M., Ed., Pasture Management in South Africa, University of Natal Press, Pietermaritzburg, 34-39.
- Snyman, H.A. (2014) Gids Tot Die Volhoubare Produksie Van Weiding. 2nd Edition, Landbouweekblad, Cape Town.
- Makuni, J. (2019) Direct and Indirect Methods of Estimating Lucerne (Medicago sativa) Yield. Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch.
- Lowe, K.F., Moss, R.J., Cowan, R.T., Minson, D.J. and Hacker, J.B. (1991) Selecting for Nutritive Value in Digitaria milanjiana. 4. Milk Production from an Elite Genotype Compared with Digitaria eriantha ssp. pentzii (Pongola Grass). Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 31, 603-608. https://doi.org/10.1071/EA9910603
- Yolcu, H., Dasci, M., Tan, M. and Comakli, B. (2008) Nutritive Value of some Lucerne Cultivars Based on Chemical Composition for Livestock. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 5, 4110-4116.
- Lattimore, M.A. (2008) Producing Quality Lucerne Hay. Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation, Canberra.
- Rogers, M.E., Lawson, A.R., Chandra, S. and Kelly, K.B. (2014) Limited Application of Irrigation Water Does Not Affect the Nutritive Characteristics of Lucerne. Animal Production Science, 54, 1635-1640. https://doi.org/10.1071/AN14195
- Poole, G.P., Putman, D. and Orloff, S. (2003) Consideration in Choosing an Alfalfa Variety. Proceedings of the 33rd California Alfalfa and Forage Symposium, Monterey, 17-19 December 2003, 191-200.
- Theron, J.F. and Snyman, H.A. (2016) Productivity Evaluation of Medicago sativa Cultivars under Irrigation in a Semi-Arid Climate. African Journal of Range and Forage Science, 32, 161-171. https://doi.org/10.2989/10220119.2015.1054428
- Mucina, L., Rutherford, M.C. and Powrie, L.W. (2005) Vegetation Map of South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland: Shapefiles of Basic Mapping Units. South African National Botanical Institute, Cape Town.
- Van Der Merwe, A.J., Johnson, J.C. and Ras, L.S.K. (1985) An AMBIC-2 Method for Determination of Extractable P, K, CA, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn in Soils. SIRI Information Bulletin B2.
- Hunter, A.H. (1974) Tentative ISFEI Soil Extraction Procedure. International Soil Fertility Evaluation and Improvement Project, North Carolina State University, Raleigh.
- Du Plessis, A.E. and Barnes, G.R. (1995) A Guide to Lucerne in the Alexandria Area. Dohne Information System: Short Communications. Dohne Agricultural Development Institute, Stutterheim.