Effect of Increasing Doses of Mineral Nitrogen Fertilization on Chemical Composition of Lucerne (Medicago Sativa L.) Under Optimum Water Supply and Water Deficiency Stress

Abstract

Abstract:The effect of increasing doses of mineral nitrogen fertilization (40, 80, 120 and 160 mg N kg -1 soil) on chemical composition of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) was studied in pot trial at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria. The plants were grown under optimum water supply (75-80% FC) and 10-days water deficiency stress (37-40% FC) at the stage of budding of lucerne. It was found that with increasing doses of mineral nitrogen fertilization, crude protein content in dry aboveground mass increased from 13 to 19% under the conditions of optimum moisture, and decreased from 6 to 14% under water deficiency stress. Crude fiber content in root mass under water deficiency stress increased most in unprovided and provided plants with low dose of mineral nitrogen. Ca:P ratio in dry aboveground mass remained almost unchanged in the conditions of optimal moisture, and increased significantly in the conditions of water-deficiency stress.

Increases in forage legume biomass as a response to nitrogen input depend on temperature, soil characters and planting system: A meta‐analysis

“…(1995) reported that N fertilization led to decreased NDF and increased crude protein contents. Additionally, Vasileva (2013) reported that crude protein content responded positively to N addition when water was freely available, but the response became negative when water availability decreased. Therefore, the response of forage quality to N supply is quite complex and impressionable.…”

“…N fertilizer addition has led to different outcomes in forage quality: and Oliveira et al (2004) reported that crude protein and ADF contents did not change with varying N doses, whereas Cherney et al (1995) reported that N fertilization led to decreased NDF and increased crude protein contents. Additionally, Vasileva (2013) reported that crude protein content responded positively to N addition when water was freely available, but the response became negative when water availability decreased. Therefore, the response of forage quality to N supply is quite complex and impressionable.…”

Coumestrol content in alfalfabreeding populations

“…Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most signifi cant perennial forage legume in the production of high quality and nutritionally valuable fodder for livestock feed, primarily ruminants (Vasileva, 2013;Tucak et al, 2018). Despite its exceptional value in livestock systems, alfalfa, like many other legume species and varieties, may contain phytoestrogens, the most interesting of which is coumestrol, which express strong estrogenic activity that can adversely affect the reproductive health of domestic animals (Hloucalova et al, 2016;Reed, 2016).…”

The Productivity and Quality of Alfalfa (<em>Medicago sativa</em> L.) in Romanian Forest Steppe

“…Although alfalfa crop fields have the appearance of a uniform mass consisting of stems, leaves, flowers and petioles, each of these parts differ in terms of chemical composition (Tyrolová and Výborná, 2008;Vasileva, 2013;Vyas et al, 2009).…”

“…An important indicator in determining the chemical composition of alfalfa, is the leaf/stem ratio, which also depends on the time of harvesting. The aim is to have the highest possible percentage of leaves, since the leaves have a higher content in proteins, minerals and vitamins than the stems (Goliński and Golińska, 2008;Ketterings et al, 2008;Lamb et al, 2003Lamb et al, , 2007Rimi et al, 2010;Samuil et al, 2012;Tyrolová and Výborná, 2008;Vasileva, 2013).…”