Forage quality and mineral composition of common grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) genotypes

Abstract

This study was performed to determine some forage quality properties and macronutrient content of common grasspea (Lathyrus sativus L.) genotypes under semi-arid climatic conditions. Twenty-four different common grasspea genotypes, 22 lines, and 2 registered cultivars were used as plant material. In the study, a field experiment was established according to a randomized block experimental design with 3 replications under the ecological conditions of Siirt province in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkiye in 2016 and 2017. The study investigated the acid detergent fiber (ADF) ratio, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ratio, crude protein (CP) ratio, relative feed value (RFV), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) properties. Furthermore, the Ca/P and K/(Ca+Mg) ratios, which are important for the health of animals, were also found. According to the averages of the two-year research results, the ADF ratio was determined to vary between 28.92-33.44%, the NDF ratio between 35.13-40.47%, the CP ratio between 22.30-25.78%, RFV between 146.75-176.80, P between 0.393-0.427%, K between 2.13-2.46%, Ca between 1.267-1.378%, and Mg between 0.230-0.257%. The Ca/P and K/(Ca+Mg) ratios changed between 3.14-3.48 and 0.720-0.918, respectively. According to the research results, the common grasspea genotypes grown under semi-arid climatic conditions produced feed of very good-top quality standards. It was revealed that most genotypes examined in the study were sufficient to meet the needs of ruminates in terms of P, K, Ca, and Mg. However, some genotypes were insufficient, especially in terms of Mg.