Tag Archives: lucerne

xxx R. Sadoyan, N. Mkrtchyan, L. Suvaryan, L. Matevosyan, A. Avetisyan, H. Nersisyan, N. Bayramyan, M. Zadayan, A. Shirvanyan and H. Martirosyan
Assessment of cultivation efficiency of several cultivars of blue lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in the conditions of Shirak region of Armenia
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Assessment of cultivation efficiency of several cultivars of blue lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) in the conditions of Shirak region of Armenia

R. Sadoyan¹, N. Mkrtchyan³, L. Suvaryan³, L. Matevosyan², A. Avetisyan¹², H. Nersisyan², N. Bayramyan¹², M. Zadayan²⁴*, A. Shirvanyan⁵ and H. Martirosyan⁶

¹Armenian State Pedagogical University after Kh. Abovyan, 17 Tigran Mets Ave., AM 0010 Yerevan, Armenia
²Scientific Center of Agriculture CJSC of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Issi-Le Mulino 1 Str, AM1101 Ejmiatsin, Armavir region, Armenia
³Gyumri Breeding Station CJSC of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Shirak Marz, Akhuryan village, Armenia
⁴Center for Agricultural Research and Certification, State Non-Commercial Organization of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Yerevanyan highway 2nd deadlock, building 4, Armavir Marz, AM1139 v. Merdzavan, Armenia
⁵Scientific Center for Risks Assessment and Analysis in Food Safety Area CJCS of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, Masisi Str., 107/2 Building, AM0071 Yerevan, Armenia
⁶Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology, branch Armenian National Agrarian University, Issi-Le Mulino 1 Str, AM1101, Ejmiatsin, Armavir region, Armenia
*Correspondence: mhzadayan@gmail.com

Abstract:

Background: Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is a highly productive forage legume valued for its exceptional protein concentration, vitamin richness, digestible fiber, and bioactive compounds. One kilogram of lucerne green mass contains approximately 50 g of carotene, alongside calcium, phosphorus, and other essential nutrients, making it a cornerstone of sustainable livestock farming and a potential functional food source.

Objective: The study aimed to assess agro-biological traits, green mass and hay yield, seed productivity, and protein concentration of 29 introduced lucerne cultivars from the All-Russian Institute of Crop Production (VIR) compared with the traditional local cultivar ‘Aparani’ under the agro-climatic conditions of the Shirak region in Armenia.

Methods: Field experiments were conducted from 2019 to 2022 using a randomized design with four replications (plot size: 25 m²). Standard agronomic practices were applied. Protein concentration in seeds was determined by the Kjeldahl method, while dry matter and nitrogen values were analyzed at the Organic Agriculture Laboratory of ANAU. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, LSD, and relative error (Ex, %).

Results: Considerable variation was observed among cultivars in yield and adaptability. The Canadian cultivars ‘Admiral’ and ‘Adge’, the French cultivar ‘Derby’, and the American cultivar ‘Schild’ demonstrated the highest productivity. ‘Admiral’ showed superior early regrowth, growth vigor, leafiness, and seed productivity (8.8 c ha-1). Green mass yield reached 325.5 c ha-1 for ‘Admiral’ and 308.4 c ha-1 for ‘Adge’, while their seed protein concentrations were 16.3% and 15.6%, respectively, exceeding the local ‘Aparani’.

Conclusion: The results indicate that ‘Admiral’ and ‘Adge’ are highly suitable for the Shirak region due to their high yields, adaptability, and nutritional value. Their adoption could enhance fodder self-sufficiency, improve livestock productivity, and expand the role of lucerne as a functional food crop rich in protein and bioactive compounds.

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351-356 V. Vasileva
Nitrogen content in yield of dry aboveground and root mass of forage lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) after mineral nitrogen fertilization and water deficiency stress
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Nitrogen content in yield of dry aboveground and root mass of forage lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) after mineral nitrogen fertilization and water deficiency stress

V. Vasileva

Institute of Forage Crops, 89 ‘Gen. Vl. Vazov’ Str. 5800 Pleven, Bulgaria;e-mail: viliana.vasileva@gmail.com

Abstract:

The effect of mineral nitrogen fertilization and water deficiency stress on nitrogen content in yield in dry aboveground and root mass of forage lucerne was tested at the Institute of Forage Crops, Pleven, Bulgaria (2003-04). Mineral nitrogen fertilization at the doses of 40, 80, 120 and 160 mg N kg-1 soil was tested in pot trials. Nitrogen fertilizer was applied as ammonium nitrate. Ten-day water deficiency stress at the budding stage of lucerne was imposed by stopping the irrigation till soil moisture dropped to 37–40% FC. It was found that mineral nitrogen fertilization increased nitrogen in dry aboveground mass yield – for doses of 120 and 160 mg N kg-1 soil in the conditions of optimal moisture, by 21 and 37%; for doses of 120 and 80 mg N kg-1soil and water deficiency stress, by 12 and 14%. Mineral nitrogen fertilization had a stronger effect on nitrogen in dry root mass yield compared with that in dry aboveground mass. The negative effect of water deficiency stress on nitrogen in dry aboveground and root mass was lowest when 80 mg N kg-1was applied to the soil.

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357-364 V. Vasileva and A. Ilieva
Chemical composition, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content in lucerne under the influence of ammonium and nitrate form mineral nitrogen
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Chemical composition, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content in lucerne under the influence of ammonium and nitrate form mineral nitrogen

V. Vasileva and A. Ilieva

Institute of Forage Crops, 89 Gen. “Vladimir Vazov” Str., Pleven 5800, Bulgaria, E-mail: viliana.vasileva@gmail.com

Abstract:

A pot trial was carried out at the Institute of Forage Crops, town of Pleven, Bulgaria (2003–04). Whereas ammonium and nitrate forms of mineral nitrogen are assimilated for the plants, the influence of these two forms of mineral nitrogen on the chemical composition, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content of lucerne in conditions of optimum moisture and water deficiency stress was tested. Urea as a source of ammonium nitrogen and potassium nitrate as a source of nitrate nitrogen were used. Rates of 70, 140 and 210 mg N kg-1soil were applied. It was found that mineral nitrogen in ammonium form, applied at the doses of 140 and 210 mg N kg-1 soil at optimum moisture increased crude protein content by 5–13%, and in the nitrate form at the same doses, by 3–7%. Crude protein content under water deficiency stress increased by 4–21% for ammonium, and by 3–12% for the nitrate form of mineral nitrogen. When the plants were supplied insufficiently with nitrogen, water deficiency stress more strongly deteriorated the chemical composition of lucerne, crude protein decreased by 6% and crude fiber increased by 10%. The application of mineral nitrogen under optimum moisture decreased calcium and phosphorus content, and the decrease was bigger for the nitrate form (up to 10% for calcium, and 23% for phosphorus). Under water deficiency stress the content of calcium and phosphorus decreased, but there were no differences for two forms of mineral nitrogen. At the optimum moisture and water deficiency stress, there was a similar tendency to reduce nitrate reductase activity in leaves, when applied mineral nitrogen at a dose of 70 mg N kg-1 soil in both forms, and to increase at the doses of 140 and 210 mg N kg-1 soil. The total content of plastid pigments increased as compared to unfertilized control, when mineral nitrogen was applied in both forms.

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87-92 V. Vasileva and A. Ilieva
Effect of presowing treatment of seeds with insecticides on nodulating ability, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)
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Effect of presowing treatment of seeds with insecticides on nodulating ability, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content of lucerne (Medicago sativa L.)

V. Vasileva and A. Ilieva

Institute of Forage Crops, Gen. Vl. Vazov Str. 89, Pleven 5800, Bulgaria;e-mail: viliana.vasileva@gmail.com

Abstract:

To determine the effect of presowing treatment of seeds on the nodulation ability, nitrate reductase activity and plastid pigments content of lucerne (cv. Obnova), a pot trial was carried out at the Institute of Forage Crops – Pleven, Bulgaria. The insecticides Promet 400 SK (furathiocarb) at the dose of 3 L, and Carbodan 35 ST (carbofuran) at the dose of 1, 2 and 3 L 100 kg-1 seeds were used. It was found that the insecticides tested did not depress the nodulation. Nodule number and specific nodulation ability when treated with Carbodan 35 ST at the dose of 3 L 100 kg-1 seeds exceeded that of the control by 23% and 7%, respectively. The root length for the variants with presowing treatment of seeds was higher as compared to the control by 7 to 26%. The variant with Carbodan at the doses of 2 and 3 L 100 kg-1 seeds and Promet increased nitrate reductase activity in roots, and that with Carbodan at the dose of 1 L 100 kg-1 seeds- in the leaves. Total content of plastid pigments increased in all variants with Carbodan and was lower than the untreated control in the variant with Promet.

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