Comparative evaluation of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) varieties for yield and fodder quality

Sixteen varieties of berseem (Trifolium alexandrinum) were evaluated for their green fodder yield, nutrients content and digestibility at second cut. The green fodder yield ranged from 200.01–243.6 q/ha. The percent DM ranged between 11.20 - 13.4, while CP 17.30 – 19.06, crude fibre 24.30 – 28.06, ether extract 3.01 – 3.28, total ash 12.70 – 13.86, nitrogen free extract 37.01 – 41.43 and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) from 64.39 – 71.82. Significant (P<0.05) difference was found in green fodder yield, nutrient content and IVDMD among the varieties studied. The percent NDF content ranged between 33.63 – 40.80, while ADF 24.43 – 32.30, cellulose 19.10 – 20.80, lignin 3.23 – 10.96 and silica 0.56 – 2.30; all the components showing significant (P<0.05) variation. The Ca content ranged between 1.46 – 2.20 percent while P content 0.100 – 0.168 per cent. Significant (P<0.05) difference was alsofound in tannin and saponin contents of berseem varieties with the values ranging from 0.90 – 3.40 and 0.26 – 1.10 percent, respectively.