TITLE:
Nutritive Value of Four Lucerne Cultivars Planted in Two Soil Types at Bathurst Research Station, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
AUTHORS:
Mhlangabezi Solontsi, Mfundo Phakama Maqubela, Johan Adam van Niekerk, Jan Willem Swanepoel, Gideon Jordaan, Unathi Gulwa, Sive Tokozwayo
KEYWORDS:
Forage Quality, Nutritive Value, Fodder
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.13 No.10,
October
14,
2022
ABSTRACT: Medicago sativa (lucerne) is a widely used perennial fodder crop and ranked amongst the highly nutritive fodders globally. This study assessed the nutritive value (i.e. CP % and TDN %) of four lucerne cultivars under two soil types at Bathurst Research Station. A random grid (quadrant) sampling method was used for sampling and samples were submitted to the laboratory for analysis to determine forage quality. Data collection was carried out by separating harvested biomass for each cultivar using clean packs, weighed and dried at 70˚C for 48 hours then crude protein (CP %) and Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN %) were determined. The results of the study showed that soil type (site) had a significant (P