Publication Date
1985
Location
Kyoto Japan
Description
Rainfall during field drying of legume hay reduces both yield and nutritive value of the forage. An experiment was conducted to evaluate leaching effects on composition of dry leaf and stem tissue of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Leaching increased neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and acid detergent lignin concentrations in every case although leaf increased more. Stem tissue of red clover differed less from leaf in fiber composition than did leaf and stem of alfalfa. Leaching did not significantly affect nitrogen concentration but decreased in vitro true digestibility of both components of both species. The NDF in alfalfa leaf was more digestible than that in alfalfa stem. Leaf and stem components of red clover did not differ in NDF disappearance and leaching had no effect on NDF disappearance of either species. Of the minerals studied, K was reduced most by leaching and Ca least.
Citation
Collins, Michael, "Leaching Effects on Composition and Digestibility of Leaf and Stem of Alfalfa and Red Clover" (1985). IGC Proceedings (1985-2023). 23.
(URL: https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1985/ses10/23)
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Leaching Effects on Composition and Digestibility of Leaf and Stem of Alfalfa and Red Clover
Kyoto Japan
Rainfall during field drying of legume hay reduces both yield and nutritive value of the forage. An experiment was conducted to evaluate leaching effects on composition of dry leaf and stem tissue of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.). Leaching increased neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, cellulose and acid detergent lignin concentrations in every case although leaf increased more. Stem tissue of red clover differed less from leaf in fiber composition than did leaf and stem of alfalfa. Leaching did not significantly affect nitrogen concentration but decreased in vitro true digestibility of both components of both species. The NDF in alfalfa leaf was more digestible than that in alfalfa stem. Leaf and stem components of red clover did not differ in NDF disappearance and leaching had no effect on NDF disappearance of either species. Of the minerals studied, K was reduced most by leaching and Ca least.
