Increased production of high-quality feed with reduced cost is an important direction in the development of animal husbandry. Perennial leguminous grasses can fulfill the 80% requirements of livestock for roughage. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) has the valuable nutrient composition that enriches the protein component of animal diets, as well as high productivity and adaptability to various growing conditions. This research aimed to analyze the green mass yield, as well as evaluate the biochemical composition and nutritional values of alfalfa forage with the application of biological preparations. The variant with Organit P + Organit N + Biodux outperformed other treatments, reaching a green mass yield of 160.0 g/m², which represented a statistically significant increase of 11.8 g/m² (or 8.0%) compared with the control. The use of biopreparations had a noticeable effect on crude protein content, which ranged from 13.73% to 17.75% on the dry matter basis. In the variant with pre-sowing seed treatment using biological preparations (Organit N + Organit P + Biodux), the carotene content was the highest (89.8 mg/kg of feed) and exceeded the control sample by 17.3 mg/kg. The highest crude fiber content (26.4%) recorded was in the variant (Organit N + Organit P + Biodux) versus the control (23.3%).
Alfalfa (M. sativa L.), seed inoculation, biological preparations, forage quality, correlation, biochemical composition, protein content, crude fibers
In alfalfa (M. sativa L.), the highest digestible protein content resulted in the pre-sown seeds treated with biological preparations Organit N (12.3%) and Systemica M (12.1%), exceeding the control by 1.69% and 1.43%, respectively. Overall, forage quality and economically valuable traits enhanced by 10%–20%.