Assessment of lupine seed fodder quality depending on the variety and tillage system used as factors for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

A b s t r a c t. Legumes are the primary source of plant protein in human food production, but also in pig and poultry feed. In this study, the fodder value of the seeds of three popular species of lupine was evaluated with reference to its variety and the tillage system used to produce it. The plant materials were subjected to chemical analyses to assess their macronutrient (nitrogen -N, phosphorous -P, potassium -K, calcium -Ca, magnesium -Mg and sodium -Na) contents and based on these results, the data ratios of the individual nutrients were calculated as mass ratios of N:P, K:Mg, K:Na, Ca:P, Ca:Mg, K:(Ca+Mg) and (K+Na):(Ca+Mg). Among the calculated nutrient ratios, the highest values were observed for narrow-leaved lupine and the lowest for yellow lupine. No-tillage was conducive to a greater amount of N and Ca being taken up by the narrow-leaved lupine seeds, while conventional cultivation promoted a higher uptake of N, P and Mg by yellow lupine. It was found that the variety grown and tillage system used had little effect on changes in the nutrient ratio values or in nutrient uptake with lupine seed yields. The lupine seeds took up the most nitrogen and the least sodium. The nutrient ratio values used for the fodder value assessment of lupine seeds should be perceived as a useful tool verifying their usefulness and at the same time indicating possible deficiencies and excesses in the amounts of nutrients taken up.K e y w o r d s: nutrient ratio values, variety, tillage, lupine