Abstract
The objective of the study was to evaluate the different methods of quality prediction in lucerne before harvesting as represented by crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Quality characters were determined on samples taken from 8 regrowths for periods from 21 March to 8 October 1990 at an age of 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 weeks. The relationships between CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, IVDMD and forage age in days, mean morphological stage by weight (MSW), sum of growing temperatures with a base of 5°C (TS5) and light sums (LS) were studied. A verification of MSW equations calibrated for the USA was performed for Bulgaria. TS5 and MSW best predicted CP, NDF, ADF, ADL, and IVDMD. The coefficients of determination (R2) were 0.88 to 0.92 and 0.75 to 0.87 respectively. The testing of MSW models calibrated by American authors for the USA conditions with data from this study confirmed the validity of relationships between MSW and forage quality. It was concluded that TS5 and MSW are reliable predictors of lucerne herbage quality before harvesting.
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