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DOI Prefix 10.20431 |
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International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences
Volume-3 Issue-1, 2017, Page No: 14-26
Biomass Yield Potential and Herbage Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) Genotypes in the Central Highland of Ethiopia
Gezahagn Kebede1, Getnet Assefa2, Fekede Feyissa1, Alemayehu Mengistu3, Tadese Tekletsadik1, Muluneh Minta1, Mamaru Tesfaye1
1.Holetta Agricultural Research Center, P.O.Box 31, Holetta, Ethiopia.
2.Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P. O. Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3.Forage and Rangeland Scientist, Urael Branch, P.O. Box 62291, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
2.Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research, P. O. Box. 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
3.Forage and Rangeland Scientist, Urael Branch, P.O. Box 62291, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Citation : Gezahagn Kebede, et al., Biomass Yield Potential and Herbage Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago Sativa L.) Genotypes in the Central Highland of Ethiopia International Journal of Research Studies in Agricultural Sciences . 2017;3(1):14-26.
Abstract
Five alfalfa genotypes were evaluated for herbage yield potential and nutritional quality under supplemental irrigation condition at Holetta Agricultural Research Center during 2010-2014. The experiment was conducted in randomized complete block design with four replications. Diammonium phosphate (DAP) fertilizer at the rate of 100 kg/ha was uniformly applied at sowing. Combined analysis revealed that the tested genotypes varied significantly (P < 0.05) for dry matter yield and plant height at forage harvesting. Accordingly, the highest mean dry matter yield was recorded for hairy peruvian (8.7 t/ha) followed by FG-10-09(F) (6.3 t/ha), Magna 801-FG(F) (6.2 t/ha), Magna 788 (5.6 t/ha) and FG-9-09 (F) (5.5 t/ha) genotypes. Similarly, hairy peruvian, FG-10-09 (F), Magna 801 FG (F), Magna 788 and FG-9-09(F) genotypes produced 77.7, 60.1, 55.6, 53.3 and 52.7cm plant height at forage harvesting respectively. Hairy peruvian gave the highest crude protein yield (1.7 t/ha) and digestible yield (6.5 t/ha) followed by FG-10-09(F) genotype, which produced 1.4 t/ha and 4.8 t/ha crude protein yield and digestible yield respectively. On the other hand, the lowest crude protein yield (1.2 t/ha) and digestible yield (4.0 t/ha) was recorded for FG-9-09(F) genotype. The highest relative feed value was recorded for Magna 788 (143.5% DM) genotype followed by FG-9-09(F) (137.6%DM), FG-10-09(F) (134.6%DM), Magna 801-FG(F) (132.9% DM) and hairy peruvian (122.3% DM) genotypes. Except in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), the tested genotypes did not show significant (P>0.05) difference for all measured herbage quality traits. The result showed that Magna 801-FG(F) genotype had the highest ash (115.0 g/kg DM), IVDMD (757.7 g/kg DM) and hemicellulose (104.5 g/kg DM) contents. On the other hand, FG-9-09(F) genotype had the lowest NDF (416.9 g/kg DM), ADL (86.1g/kg DM) and hemicellulose (65.2g/kg DM) contents. The highest CP (226.6 g/kg DM) and the lowest ADF (319.9 g/kg DM) and cellulose (229.4 g/kg DM) contents were recorded for Magna 788 genotype. Similarly, the highest NDF (454.6 g/kg DM), ADF (376.6 g/kg DM), ADL (103.7 g/kg DM) and cellulose (279.0 g/kg DM) contents and the lowest ash (102.6 g/kg DM) and CP (199.2 g/kg DM) contents were recorded for hairy peruvian. Generally, alfalfa genotypes showed variations in terms of biomass yield potential and nutritional quality under supplemental irrigation condition at Holetta, in the central highland of Ethiopia.
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