The crude protein content in alfalfa grown on different soil types

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is the most important forage legume. Crude protein content is one indicator of the its quality, which, among other things, is affected by the variability of soil properties. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of different soil types on the content of crude protein in alfalfa. The examination was conducted on six types of soil: chernozem, vertisol, eutric cambisol, humofluvisol, fluvisol and humogley (according to domestic soil classification). Sampling of plant material was carried out during May 2011., in the second year of alfalfa production. On the basis of these results it can be concluded that there are statistically significant differences in the content of crude protein between alfalfa plants, grown on different soil types. The highest protein content has alfalfa grown on chernozem (26.28%) and lowest on the eutric cambisols (13.98%). Soils, on which the protein content in alfalfa was higher, are characterized by good physical and chemical properties, a higher content of total nitrogen, primarily nitrogen fixation increased, as have the favorable conditions for microbial activity. This is primarily related to the pH value, because the greatest number of Rhizobium is in neutral and slightly alkaline soils. The expected results should be a guideline for the production practice, because the modeling of feed production, in different production conditions, raises the possibility of more intensive crop and livestock production.