Comparison of foreign-origin alfalfa cultivars in terms of quality and macro- micro element contents under semi-arid climatic conditions of Turkey

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the quality and nutrient contents of some alfalfa cultivars of foreign origin under semi-aridclimatic conditions of Turkey and to compare them in terms of these characteristics. A total of 13 cultivars were used in the study,12 of which were of foreign origin and 1 of which was a standard cultivar. The study was established and conducted accordingto a randomized complete block design. There was no statistical difference among alfalfa cultivars in terms of CP, ADF, NDF,RFV, Ca, Mg and P contents. The highest K values were obtained from all cultivars except La Torre. The highest Fe content wasobtained from Iside; the highest Cu content from Iside, Bilensoy and Riviera vicentina; the highest Mn content from Iside andSabrina; and the highest Zn content from Iside. Higher values were obtained in the first year for ADF, NDF, Mg, Fe, Cu and Mn,and in the second year for RFV, P, K and Zn. As a result, although there were some differences among the cultivars in terms ofmicroelements, it was determined that there were no statistically significant differences among the cultivars in terms of macroelements (except K) and CP, ADF, NDF and RFV parameters, which are of great importance in animal nutrition. Therefore, itwas concluded that all alfalfa cultivars of foreign-origin produced high-quality forage comparable to standard cultivars and canbe used as an alternative to standard cultivars in semi-arid climatic conditions of Turkey.