PRODUCTION AND QUALITY OF BERSEEM CLOVER (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) FOR DAIRY CATTLE IN THE NORTH AND CENTRAL REGIONS OF MEXICO

Abstract

Legumes produce high yield and quality forage with low inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. The objective of this research was to determine the production potential and quality of irrigated berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum L.) as a winter forage crop for dairy cattle production at the north and central regions of México. Experiments were conducted at Matamoros, Coahuila; and Pabellón, Aguascalientes. Seven cultivars of berseem clover were evaluated for dry matter accumulation (DM). Berseem clover was compared to ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) and oat (Avena sativa L.) in monoculture and in association for DM. In vivo digestibility of berseem clover was compared to alfalfa´s (Medicago sativa L.). Berseem clover?s in vivo digestibility, herbage intake, and fiber digestion rates were compared to those of ryegrass and oat in sheep. Milk production assays in Holstein cows involved rations comparing berseem clover to alfalfa or annual ryegrass. Cultivar Multicut of berseem had the highest accumulated DM yield (13.1 Mg ha-1) after six harvests (p0.05), but all of them were superior to that of oat (p0.05). This was also observed in dairy cows fed rations containing alfalfa, berseem clover, and berseem clover+alfalfa (p>0.05). Results from this study suggest that berseem clover has a high potential to produce quality forage to sustain intensive milk production in the north and central regions of México during the winter.