Progress in the Breeding of Eastern Galega, Galega orientalis, for Productivity and Quality in the Republic of Moldova

Abstract

As part of the plant resource mobilization activities, valuable forms of the species Galega orientalis were identified and used in the breeding program to improve the productivity and quality, as a result, the local cultivar 'Sofia' was created. We found that in the third year of vegetation the annual productivity of eastern galega local cultivar, for 3 cuts, reached 9.1 kg/m2 green mass or 2.1 kg/m2 dry matter with 14.5-20.0% crude protein, 9.53-10.40 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 5.55-6.41 MJ/kg net energy for lactation. In the harvested green mass of eastern galega cultivar used for preparation of hay and haylage, in hay making process, the leaves remain on the stem, providing higher forage value: 16.5-17.1% crude protein, 577-625 g/kg digestible dry matter, 9.41-10.12 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 5.42-6.13 MJ/kg net energy for lactation. The fermentation characteristics and quality indices of eastern galega haylage were: pH=4.60, 51.5 g/kg lactic acid, 8.8 g/kg acetic acid, butyric acid was not detected, 19.6% crude protein, 602 g/kg digestible dry matter, 9.78 MJ/kg metabolizable energy, 5.79 MJ/kg net energy for lactation. The results revealed that the eastern galega green mass and ensiled substrates for biogas production had optimal carbon nitrogen ratio and the estimated biochemical methane potential varied from 320 to 353 l/kg VS.