Performance of public and private sector developed lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) varieties for forage yield and quality

During two years of study mean green forage, dry matter and crude protein yield obtained from six lucerne varieties varied from 51.66 to 65.27 t/ha, 12.87 to 16.36 t/ha and 2.52 to 2.97 t/ha, respectively. Among all varieties, Anand lucerne 3 recorded greater green fodder (65.27 t/ha), dry matter (16.36 t/ha) and crude protein (2.97 t/ha) yields in comparison to T 9 and Alamdar 1 varieties. Significant differences were observed among varieties for yield attributes like plant height, leaf to stem ratio and dry matter accumulation. Non -significant differences were recorded among lucerne varieties for proximate parameters. However among lucerne varieties, mean variations for dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre and silica were observed between (24.12 -25.09), (18.21 - 19.37), (1.95 -2.51), (26.34- 27.85) and (1.02- 1.19) per cent, respectively. Mean calcium content (1.60 %) was recorded significantly higher in Anand lucerne 3 whereas, mean copper content (11.88 ppm) was found to be significantly greater in Anand 2 variety. Lucerne varieties contain calcium (1.38- 1.60 %), phosphorus (0.34 - 0.38 %), magnesium (0.52 - 0.55%) and potassium (1.28 - 1.38 %). Mean micro-nutrient contents Cu, Zn, Mn and Fe varied between 9.21 - 11.88 ppm, 22.02 - 26.46 ppm, 46.68 - 55.33 ppm and 491.05 -707.79 ppm, respectively among lucerne varieties.