The effect of different proportions of Medicago media Pers. in mixtures with Festulolium braunii (K. Richt.) A. Camus on the yield and feed value of green fodder

Abstract

A field experiment was performed in 2011–2013. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different proportions of Medicago media in mixtures with Festulolium braunii on the yield and feed value of green fodder, including the content of crude protein (CP) and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), and the carbohydrate-to-protein ratio. It was found that alfalfa had a high competitive advantage over Festulolium. In the second and third year of full utilization, alfalfa was the predominant species in the tested mixtures regardless of the proportion of sown seeds. The mixtures with alfalfa were characterized by high and stable dry matter yields and high protein content, whereas Festulolium significantly increased the content of WSC and improved the WSC:CP ratio. The evaluated mixtures had a higher feed value than pure-sown components. The results of the study indicate that Festulolium mixtures with a lower proportion (30% and 50%) of alfalfa are characterized by a higher feed value.