Palatability of subterranean cover and some perennial grasses and legume forage crops

Atanas Kirilov, Viliana Vasileva

Abstract: In in vivo trials using the method of “trough cafeteria” the palatability or the preference of sheep
(Pleven Blackface sheep) to the subterranean clover and to other commonly used perennial forage
crops was studied. The observations were done on pure swards of subterranean clover (Trifolium
subterraneum ssp. brachycalicinum) (cv. “Antas”), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) (cv. “Targovishte 1”), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia L.) (local population), cocksfoot (Dactylis glomerata L.) (cv. “Dabrava”) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) (cv. “Albena”). Results obtained showed that subterranean clover was grazed at 100% and from the legumes sheep prefer most this crop followed by birdsfoot trefoil and sainfoin, and from the grasses – cocksfoot. Subterranean clover is a palatable and prefered for grazing by sheep forage crop because of lower crude fiber and higher crude protein content as compared to the same characteristics in sainfoin, cocksfoot and tall fescue.

Keywords: chemical composition; cocksfoot; palatability; sainfoin; subterranean clover; tall fescue; trefoil

Date published: 2017-02-09