Browsing by Subject "alfalfa"

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Alfalfa and red clover as a protein source for ruminants
(Institute for Animal Husbandry, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia, 2021-10-06) Marković, Jordan; Milenković, Jasmina; Andjelković, Snežana
High level of milk protein, increased dietary costs, as well as care for the environment have made nitrogen utilization a central component in balancing ruminant meals. Excess crude protein in meals can lead to unnecessary dietary costs, without resulting in increased milk and milk protein production. In addition, most of the excess nitrogen is excreted in the urine and is an ecologically labile form. On the other hand, poor amino acids balance will limit milk protein yield, making production more expensive than overeating. Balancing protein according to metabolic needs, with an adequate ratio of rumen undegradable protein and rumen degradable protein, and without overeating will have positive effects not only on meal price and profitability, but also on the environment. More efficient utilization of nutrients requires knowledge of how different fractions of nutrients pass through the digestive tract. Grass and legumes contain the largest and most variable part of non-protein nitrogen compounds. Although, a number of non-protein nitrogen compounds and true protein together represent crude protein, it is clear that the nutritional value of crude protein in ruminant feeds is better explained based on their rate and extent of rumen degradation. There are a number of factors that affect the amount of crude protein that will be degraded in the rumen. Legumes are high quality forages rich in protein, but these proteins are intensively degraded in the rumen. Red clover proteins are more slowly degraded than alfalfa protein.
Effectiveness of the process of cleaning natural alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) seeds
(2020) Đokić, Dragoslav; Stanisavljević, Rade; Milenković, Jasmina; Koprivica, Ranko; Knežević, Jasmina; Vuković, A.; Terzić, Dragan
This paper presents the results of the cleaning tests of three different natural alfalfa seed lots and three different red clover seed lots performed using seed processing machines. The alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) and the red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) are two of the most important perennial forage legumes in the Republic of Serbia. Alfalfa and red clover seeds for sowing should be clean, i.e. free from weeds and foreign matter, and of high germination and genetic values. Such requirements can only be achieved by cleaning, i.e. removing all undesirable impurities and poor-quality seeds. The following parameters important for the seed cleaning process and equipment were observed: seed purity, contents of weed and other crop seeds, inert substance content, amounts of processed seeds (kg), seed loss and processing output. The results obtained facilitate (depending on the amount and type of weeds and other impurities found in the alfalfa and red clover seed lots considered) the proper adjustment of the seed processing equipment to obtain the largest possible quantity of quality seeds that are in compliance with the laws and regulations of Serbia.
Effects of Additives and Mixing Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) with Red Clover (Trifolium pratense L.) at Different Ratios on Proteolysis, Fermentation Quality and Microbiota of Silage
(Institutul Național de Cercetare Dezvoltare Agricolă Fundulea, 2025) Lazarević, Đorđe; Đorđević, N.; Stevović, V.; Tomić, Dalibor; Marković, Jordan; Jevtić, Goran; Andjelković, Snežana
The nutrition of ruminants can be improved by using alfalfa silage, as well as red clover silage, as a low-cost source of proteins. However, proteins from ensiled legumes, especially alfalfa, have poor usability because of the high level of degradation in the rumen. This is a consequence of the intensive proteolytic processes during silage fermentation. In recent decades there were significant investigations of different materials and techniques which limit proteolyisis and contribute to a better usage of proteins from silage. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of additives - two doses of oak tannin extract [6 g kg-1 of dry matter (DM) and 12 g kg-1 DM] and bacterial inoculant (Enterococcus faecium, Bacillus plantarum, and Bacillus brevis), as well as the effect of ensiled mixtures of alfalfa and red clover, in different ratios (100 : 0, 90 : 10, 70 : 30, 50 : 50, 30 : 70, and 0 : 100) on the content of protein fractions, the number of microorganisms, as well as fermentation quality parameters. The ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) content, which is one of the main indicators of proteolysis, was generally equal at the different mixture and additive treatments as well as the pH value, and below the critical point of 10% which was probably the consequence of favorable conditions at every of the treatments. On the other hand, considering nonprotein nitrogen (NPN), as another of the indicators of proteolysis, there was a positive sign of the contribution of inoculant and red clover to the reduction of proteolysis in alfalfa only in case of the silage mixture with the 70% of red clover share. Increase in the share of red clover in the mixture generally caused growth in the number of lactic acid bacteria, as well as in the number of yeasts and molds.
Effects of lime on alfalfa cultivars yield on acidic soil
(Faculty of Agronomy in Čačak, University of Kragujevac,, 2024-03-14) Racić, Nedeljko; Stevović, Vladeta; Zornic, Vladimir; Petrović, Mirjana; Prijović, Mladen; Radović, Jasmina
Soil acidity limits the cultivation of alfalfa and the effecting of high yields. The experiment was set up on acidic soil to determine the effect of lime (0, 1 t ha-1, 2.5 t ha-1) on forage yield of alfalfa cultivars (K-28, Zuzana, NS-Nijagara) in the year of establishment. The yield of the liming variants was higher in all three cut and total yield, compared to the control. The significant differences in yield were only in the third cut, where the K-28 (4.76 t ha-1) and NS-Nijagara (4.46 t ha-1) had a higher yield compared to the Zuzana (3.65 t ha-1). Interaction cultivar/lime was significant only in the first cut, while in the other two cuts and in the total yield it wasn't.
Fertilization of Alfalfa Crop in Order to Develop Sustainable Management Systems
(Institutul Național de Cercetare Dezvoltare Agricolă Fundulea, 2025) Tomić, Dalibor; Stevović, V.; Mijajlović, Z.; Marjanović, M.; Pavlović, N.; Lazarević, Đorđe; Petrović, Mirjana; Zornic, Vladimir; Madić, M.
Understanding the complex relationships between soil fertility, crop productivity, and management systems in agriculture would contribute to developing sustainable management systems. The paper analyzed the possibility production systems with reduced fertilization by comparing traditional mineral fertilizer application systems and no-fertilizer systems. The field experiment was carried out in 2017-2019 in central Serbia on eutric cambisol. The experiment with the alfalfa variety K-28 was set up according to a completely randomized block system in 3 replications. The following fertilization variants were applied: A1 (unfertilized - control), A2 (N30:P30:K30 kg ha-1 in autumn), A3 (N30:P30:K30 kg ha-1 in autumn and 30 kg ha-1 N in spring), A4 (N45:P45:K45 kg ha-1 in autumn), A5 (N45:P45:K45 kg ha-1 in autumn and 15 kg ha-1 N in spring), A6 (15 kg ha-1 N in spring) and A7 (30 kg ha-1 N in spring). Variants of application of complex mineral fertilizers in autumn A2, A3, A4, and A5 did not lead to a significantly higher alfalfa forage yield compared to fertilization systems when nitrogen was applied in smaller amounts in spring. Satisfactory alfalfa yields were achieved when nitrogen was applied in the spring in the amount of 15 kg ha-1 (A6), especially in conditions of sufficient water supply to the plants. All varieties of fertilization influenced the increase in the proportion of weeds. The use of low rates of nitrogen fertilizers with the application of moderate irrigation can be a good management practice that can reduce environmental pollution without greatly alfalfa forage yield reduction.
Inoculant formulation: effects of zeolite additives on alfalfa and rhizobial symbiont
(Serbian Society of Soil Science, 2025-10-20) Pešić, M.; Tošić Jojević, S.; Sikirić, B.; Milinković, M.; Mrvić, V.; Andjelković, Snežana; Delić, D.; Stajković Srbinović, O.
Inoculants containing rhizobial bacteria are bio-inoculants which represent microbiological N fertilizer and they contain selected highly effective and highly competitive rhizobial bacteria placed in suitable carrier. The role of carrier is to maintain the viability and efficiency of bacteria used as active agent and to increase the shelf life of inoculant. The most widespread formulation consists of peat as the rhizobia carrier and formulations of inoculants using zeolites as additives are common. Nanogranulation of the zeolite by increasing its surface would enhance its water and nutrients retention efficiency in the layer of the inoculant on inoculated seeds, making the bacteria more resistant to desiccation causing nano-carriers superiority over other carriers. In this study, 15 different inoculants were tested, five highly efficient nitrogen-fixing rhizobial Ensifer meliloti strains named 218, 225, 252, 4148s and 4193cs in three different peat carriers, including peat carrier with regular zeolite, zeolite nanoparticles, or CaCO3. The initial number of rhizobial cells of all strains exceeded 109 in all formulations. After one month of storage at room temperature the number did not differ significantly among strains and formulations but after two months the number was the higher in formulation with zeolite nanoparticles >1010 for strains 252 and 4148s. This trend continued in the next 6 months. The nodulation ability and efficiency of inoculants was confirmed in the nodulation test with alfalfa after three and six months of storage, indicating good performance of all evaluated inoculant formulations, with the most performant nano zeolite as an additive.
Microbial community in alfalfa rhizosphere in response to increased nickel concentration.
(Serbian Society of Soil Science, 2025-10-20) Pešić, M.; Tošić Jojević, S.; Sikirić, B.; Mrvić, V.; Andjelković, Snežana; Buzurović, U.; Delić, D.; Stajković Srbinović, O.
Rhizosphere is a very active region containing many microorganisms involved in complex biological and ecological processes. Under adverse conditions such as trace element pollution, the rhizosphere of plants can modify the soil conditions and the effects of pollutants, promote plant growth and alleviate stress in plants. Alfalfa establishes effective nitrogenfixing symbiosis with rhizobia. Besides nitrogen fixation, inoculation with rhizobial strains can result in promotion of the metal bioaccumulation within the root nodules in contaminated soil. Trace elements in the soil could be immobilized via their adsorption and/or accumulation in the plant roots and/ or by bacteria in rhizosphere, resulting in reduction of their toxicity. To evaluate the effect of rhizobial inoculation of alfalfa on soil properties, two locations with different Ni content in the soil 195 mg/kg and 52 mg/kg, as well as 6 different rhizobial strains were tested. Concentrations of trace elements, total and available forms, as well as other chemical soil parameters were determined at the beginning and at the end of the vegetation period. Furthermore, the abundance and activity of specific groups of soil microorganisms in soils under the field experiment were evaluated: soil respiration, total number of microorganisms and the number of specific groups of soil microorganisms including fungi, Actinomycetes, oligonitrophiles, Azotobacter and ammonifiers. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction between location and rhizobial strain used as inoculum on the total number of microorganisms, as well as number of specific groups of microorganisms including fungi, Actinomycetes and oligonitrophiles in the first and second year of the experiment, indicating that the effect of rhizobial treatment depended on the location. The soil properties also varied among treatments and the two locations. Some rhizobial treatments increased the soil respiration rate, total number of microorganisms in soil, as well as the number of one or more specific groups of microorganisms including oligonitrofiles, fungi, Actinomycetes, Azotobacter and ammonifiers, compared to the control.
Non-fiber carbohydrates and neutral detergent-soluble fibre in alfalfa
(Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Troyan, 2021) Marković, Jordan; Babić, Snežana; Lazarević, Đorđe; Milenković, Jasmina; Prijović, Mladen; Zornic, Vladimir; Vasić, Tanja
Carbohydrates are important in the nutrition of animals because they are the major source of energy and typically comprise 70 to 80{\%} of the diet. Carbohydrate contents of forage can vary widely due to the interaction of plants and their environment. These variables include: species and variety of the forage, stage of growth and environmental conditions during plant growth. The aim of this study was to estimate the content of NFC-Non-Fiber Carbohydrates and NDSF -- Neutral Detergent Soluble Fiber depending on the stage of growth, cuts and cultivars of alfalfa. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) -- cv K28 selected at Institute for forage crops Kru{\v{s}}evac and cv G+13R+CZ selected at UC Davis Plant Breeding Center, University of California were sampled at three stages of maturity: full bud, early bloom (10-15{\%} of flowering) and mid bloom (50-60{\%} of flowering) in four cuts during the year. Results of this investigation showed that alfalfa cultivars did not differ significantly in NFC and NDSF content. On the other hand, content of NFC decreased from 237.0 to 230.6 g kg -1 DM with growth and development, whereas content of NDSF increased with plant development from 131.5 to 136.8 g kg -1 DM, but the differences between treatments were not significant. The highest content of NFC and NDSF was observed in the third cut. These carbohydrates are considered to be highly digestible and rapidly fermentable. Improving the understanding of this large portion of the dairy cattle diet has the potential to improve animal performance and profitability while maintaining health.
Phytopathogenic fungi of alfalfa in Serbia
(University of East Sarajevo, Faculty of Agriculture, Republic of Srpska, Bosnia, 2024-10-10) Vasić, Tanja; Živković, Sanja; Marković, Jordan; Filipović, S.; Debasis, M.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) occurs in nature as a cultivated and wild species. As one of the oldest and most important perennial forage crops, alfalfa has the potential to produce large amounts of high-quality forage. This paper presents the preliminary results of the population study of phytopathogenic fungi on alfalfa. A total of 625 samples of alfalfa plants were collected between 2002 and 2019 in Serbia from 17 locations. Standard phytopathological isolation was performed from the transition of healthy to diseased tissue on potato dextrose agar (PDA) with streptomycin. After incubation at 22°C and a light regime of 12 hours day/12 hours night, the obtained cultures were examined microscopically and the morphological identification of fungi to the genus level was carried out using standard keys. Checking the pathogenicity of the obtained isolates was done through artificial inoculation with damage to plant parts. Inoculation was performed with 7-day-old fungi isolates, and the inoculated plants were stored at a temperature of 20 to 25°C. Based on the morphological and pathogenic characteristics of the obtained isolates, it was determined that alfalfa pathogens were dominant in Serbia Colletotrichum, Fusarium, Verticillium, Rhizoctonia, Sclerotinia and Phoma. As the causative agents of alfalfa diseases are not sufficiently studied in Serbia, the conducted research represents a significant contribution to defining the role of phytopathogenic fungi in the symptoms they cause on alfalfa, all with the aim of contributing to finding adequate measures for their successful suppression.
Quality of alfalfa seeds from different regions of Serbia during storage up to 42 months
(2024) Stanisavljevic, Rade; Poštić, Dobrivoj; Štrbanović, Ratibor; Oro, Violeta; Milenković, Jasmina; Tabaković, Marijenka; Đokić, Dragoslav
This study presents the findings from assessing the quality of alfalfa seeds collected from three Serbian regions: in each region, batches of seeds from six places were analyzed. The following criteria were investigated: the proportion of dormant seeds, the germinated seed content, the proportion of dead seeds, and the percentage of aberrant seedlings. Seed quality was assessed after six, eighteen, thirty, and forty-two months of storage. The highest seed quality was obtained after thirty and eighteen months of seed storage (91% and 89% of germination, respectively). During the 42-month storage period, the percentage of dead seeds (8%) and abnormal seedlings (7%) increased, while germination declined to 84%. In a storage period of six months, the participation of dormant seeds of 21% affected the germination rate, which was 77%, regardless of the low proportion of dead seeds (1%) and abnormal seedlings (2%).
The influence of bacterial inoculation on development different cultivars of alfalfa
(Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture, Troyan, 2021) Andjelković, Snežana; Radović, Jasmina; Lugić, Zoran; Babić, Snežana; Marković, Jordan; Milenković, Jasmina; Petrović, Mirjana
Increasing soil fertility is one of the strategies being implemented with the objective of increasing agricultural production. The addition of microbial inoculants can stimulate plant-growth-promoting mechanisms, improve soil fertility, replenish the natural microbial community. There are different mechanisms by which microorganisms increase soil fertility and supply plants with necessary elements. The experiment was a two-factorial, random block design with ten replicates, where the first factor was alfalfa cultivar and the second was the variant of bacterial inoculation. For the purposes of research three alfalfa cultivars (K−28, Affinity+Z and Perry) and two variants of microbial inoculation − individual cultures of rhizobium (Sinorhizobium meliloti) and azotobacter (Azotobacter chroococcum) were used. The analysis of plant traits (height, number of stems and plant weight) were done at the beginning of flowering. The results obtained showed that the application of microorganisms can affect the parameters of plant alfalfa. The interaction between cultivar and applied inoculation was different: In the cultivar alfalfa Affinity+Z a statistically significant increase in plant height (4.4{\%} higher value than control) and mass was recorded (16.1{\%}); in Perry cultivar the green mass per plant was increased (4.3{\%} on treatment with S. meliloti and 2.3{\%} on treatment with A. chroococcum). In all cultivars inoculation A. chroococcum had positive, but application of S. meliloti had negative effect on the number of stems was achieved.
Uticaj primesa u naturalnom semenu lucerke i crvene deteline na proces čišćenja semena
(2021) Đokić, Dragoslav; Terzić, Dragan; Rajičić, V.; Živković, S.; Oro, V.; Milenković, Jasmina; Koprivica, R.
The paper presents the results of the cleaning process of five different lots of natural alfalfa seeds and five different lots of natural red clover seeds. Natural alfalfa and red clover seeds had 75 % to 77 % purity. The experiment was performed in the seed processing center of the Institute for Forage Crops Kruševac. Seed cleaning is performed on different machines that work on the principle of differences in the physical properties of seeds. Significant parameters that define the quality of seeds after processing on the cleaning equipment are the amount of pure seed, weed seed, the seed of other crops, inert matter, amount of pure processed seed, seed losses and processing output. The obtained results enable the correct adjustment of the equipment for the seed processing, depending on the amount and type of weeds and other impurities found in the natural seed of alfalfa and red clover.