The Effect of Sowing Density and Different Harvesting Stages on Yield and Some Forage Quality Characters of the White Sweet Clover (Melilotus albus)

Abstract

White sweet clover (Melilotus albus) cultivation, despite its many positive features such as the high yield of green mass, as well as protein content, is currently not widespread. This study aimed to determine the effect of the different sowing densities (500, 1000, and 1500 seeds per m2) and harvesting at different growth stages (before budding, budding, and full flowering) on the quality of fodder from the white sweet clover (Adela variety). The field experiment was carried out in the years 2018–2020 in a split-plot design. Plant biometric measurements, green and dry yield, the content of total protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, macro and microelements, and coumarin content were determined. The results show that an increase in the sowing density significantly increased the plant population after emergence and green and dry matter. However, it does not affect the total protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, macro and microelements, and coumarin content. Harvesting plants at the flowering stage increased plant height and green fodder yield. Plants harvested at the prebudding phase were characterized by the highest share of leaves (40.3%) and were the most abundant in protein (21.7%) and minerals (ash content 12.71%). Unfortunately, sweet clover at this growth stage contained the highest level of coumarin, which limits its use in animal feed.