Archived
This content is available here strictly for research, reference, and/or recordkeeping and as such it may not be fully accessible. If you work or study at University of Kentucky and would like to request an accessible version, please use the SensusAccess Document Converter.
Publication Date
1977
Description
1. The character "in vitro digestibility" represents a complex factor. It is fixed by genetic constitution. Certain correiations were found to exist between the digestibility coefficients (DC) established in the individual cuts, as well as between the DC found in the two years of alfalfa use tested.
2. The in vitro digestibility shows sufficient variability, thus offering an adequate range for a selection programme to improve the feeding value of alfalfa. With such programmes it is, however, necessary at the same time to maintain or even to further improve matter production. The effect of characters correlating with digestibility (positive correlation) and with matter production (negative correlation) - e.g. high leaf percentage - must be the subject of separate investigations (B6csA and BUGLOS, in preparation, 1977).
3. The variability of the crude protein content is between 8 and 10 p.c., thus offering sufficient range for selection for basic genotypes of increased crude protein content. In this connection it is, for the present, left out of consideration whether there are certain forms that would produce both a high nitrogen content and large amounts of matter.
Citation
Steuckardt, R and Bocsa, I, "Possibilities of improving the feeding value of alfalfa by breeding" (1977). IGC Proceedings (1977-2023). 25.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1977/sess2/25)
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Possibilities of improving the feeding value of alfalfa by breeding
1. The character "in vitro digestibility" represents a complex factor. It is fixed by genetic constitution. Certain correiations were found to exist between the digestibility coefficients (DC) established in the individual cuts, as well as between the DC found in the two years of alfalfa use tested.
2. The in vitro digestibility shows sufficient variability, thus offering an adequate range for a selection programme to improve the feeding value of alfalfa. With such programmes it is, however, necessary at the same time to maintain or even to further improve matter production. The effect of characters correlating with digestibility (positive correlation) and with matter production (negative correlation) - e.g. high leaf percentage - must be the subject of separate investigations (B6csA and BUGLOS, in preparation, 1977).
3. The variability of the crude protein content is between 8 and 10 p.c., thus offering sufficient range for selection for basic genotypes of increased crude protein content. In this connection it is, for the present, left out of consideration whether there are certain forms that would produce both a high nitrogen content and large amounts of matter.
