The Productivity and Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in Romanian Forest Steppe

Abstract

Alternative use of alfalfa, for various purposes, including the production of biofuels or food supplement for human alimentation, is a study topic still in its early stages of research. Studying and understanding the biology of alfalfa and the factors with a major influence on it are very important activities. The productivity and quality of alfalfa are two indicators that help determine, in addition to economic value, the way in which alfalfa can be used. Evolution of alfalfa yield and quality depends on many factors, such as the growth stage of alfalfa plants at harvesting. It was observed over three years of vegetation the influence of alfalfa plant growth stage at harvest on plant height, leaves/stems ratio, production of leaves, stems and whole plant (DM - dry matter) per hectare and on quality indicators (CP - crude protein, NDF - neutral detergent fiber and ADF - acid detergent fiber). The results showed that, with the advancement of phenological phases, from early bud stage to complete flowering, the total biomass output raised from 2.79 Mg·ha-1 to 4.60 Mg·ha-1, the neutral detergent fiber raised from 48.4-50.6% to 62.0-67.7%, while crude protein content decreased from 21.2-24.0% to 13.3-16.5%. The parameter values were correlated with alfalfa growth stage during the harvesting (significant at the 0.05 and 0.01 probability levels).

Refining high-quality leaf protein and valuable co-products from green biomass of Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus L.) for sustainable protein supply

“…With an average moisture content of 47.8%, we calculated that total dry shoot biomass varied from 22.5 to 39.8 t per hectare. These results were similar to those reported by Rawate and Hill [37] (dry mass of 25 t per hectare) and comparable with those of the forage crop alfalfa, which yields around 25 t per hectare [38].…”

The performance and genetic variation of first and second generation tropical alfalfa (Medicago sativa)

“…It is known that when plants reach a certain size, they shift energy into forming flower primordial as a result of physiological processes, which are characterized by a decrease in growth activity. Plant height growth rate in this research similar to research done by Stavarache et al (2015) found that plant height increases during plant development with a tendency to stabilize, starting from the beginning of flowering until the harvest time.…”

Adapting the CROPGRO Model to Simulate Alfalfa Growth and Yield

“…Subsequently, some parameters were modified to improve prediction of CP based on literature values (Hintz and Albrecht, 1991;Milić et al, 2011) and by comparison of simulated and measured CP in herbage. For instance, protein concentration in leaf (PROLFI), stem (PROSTI), root (PRORTI), and storage (PROSRI) for tissue grown under luxurious supply of N were based on literature values (Milić et al, 2011;Stavarache et al, 2015). Related tissue parameter modifications are presented in the Table 4.…”

“…Related tissue parameter modifications are presented in the Table 4. The following parameters such as lipid concentration in leaf (PLIPLF), in stem (PLIPST), mineral concentration in leaf (PMINLF), in stem (PMINST), and lignin in leaf (PLIGLF) and stem (PLIGST), were based on the following references (Fox et al, 1991;Stavarache et al (2015) and Teixeira et al, 2007).…”