Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the changes that take place in nutrient values of red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) cv K-27 at different stages of growth in the second and the third cut. The samples from different stages of growth: mid-bud stage, around 60% flowering and full flowering were investigated for crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy-lactation (NEl), net energy-maintenance (NEm) and net energy-gain (NEg) content. Higher content of crude protein was found in the third cut (262.1 g kg-1 of DM) than in the second cut (260.8 g kg-1 of DM) in the first stage of development. TDN, DDM, DMI, RFV, NEl, NEm and NEg were calculated according to the appropriate equations adapted from common formulas for forages. The stage of plant development has a significant influence on the chemical composition and the relative feed value of red clover. The achieved results show that adequate maturity stage for cutting might be at mid-bloom stage, when crude protein content, NEl, NEm and NEg content are high.
Highlights
Red clover is a legume well adapted to poorly drained soils and more tolerant to lower soil pH and fertility than alfalfa
Digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), total digestible nutrients (TDN), net energy-lactation (NEl), net energy-maintenance (NEm) and net energy-gain (NEg) were calculated according to the equations adapted from common formulas for forages (Schroeder, 1994)
The results of this investigation indicated that the crude protein content of red clover declined with advancing maturity in the second and third cut (Table 1)
Summary
Red clover is a legume well adapted to poorly drained soils and more tolerant to lower soil pH and fertility than alfalfa. Red clover is considered a short-lived legume, but new modern varieties are productive for three full seasons. Red clover is of a very good quality as to its nutritive value and ensiling (Hoffman and Broderick, 2001). The possibility to accurately predict the nutritive value of forage crops is a prerequisite for designing rations and directing forage crops breeding (Kruse et al., 2008). Nutrient deficiencies in low quality roughages affect microbial growth and fermentation in the rumen and result in an overall low animal productivity. Quality forage promotes good health and better performance (Harris, 1992). Choosing adequate stage of growth of forages with good quality is very important for animal health as well as high milk and meat production
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