Effect of fertilizer on nutritional value of feed alfalfa-cereal grass mixtures in the conditions of the Right-bank Forest Steppe

Abstract

One of the ways to reduce protein deficiency and produce complete feed is to grow alfalfa-cereal mixtures, which due to the optimal ratio of protein and carbohydrates, mineral salts and other valuable biologically active substances most fully meet the physiological needs of animals. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of mineral fertilizers on the nutritional value of alfalfa-cereal grass mixtures. Experimental studies were conducted during 2014-2016 on the research field of the Department of Forage Production, Land Reclamation and Meteorology, which is located in the NULES of Ukraine "Agronomic Research Station" on typical low-humus chernozem. According to the results of research, it was found that the inclusion of alfalfa in cereals increased the content of crude protein to a greater extent than the introduction of nitrogen in the dose N60 on the same cereal herbage at the same background P60K90. There are no natural differences in the accumulation of crude protein between alfalfa-cereal herbages with the participation of different cereal components on the same background. According to the results of research, the introduction of alfalfa into cereal herbage promotes the growth of protein and crude fat content in the feed and reduces the content of nitrogen-free extractive. Nitrogen fertilizers have the greatest effect on the chemical composition of grass feed on cereal grasslands - the application of N60 on the background of P60K90 in the dry weight of feed increases by 2.8% crude protein content and 26 g of feed unit digestible protein. Digestibility of dry matter of fodder of alfalfa and legume-cereal herbages, relative to pure cereal crops, increased by 2-5%. The composition of cereal components in legume-cereal mixtures and the fertilizer system did not significantly affect the digestibility of feed.