This research was conducted to determine the chemical composition of smooth bromegrass in artificial pasture from the years 2010 to 2012 in Isparta Province located in the Mediterranean region of Turkey. The mixture of the pasture used were alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) + sainfoin (Onobrychis sativa Lam.) + crested wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum L.) + smooth bromegrass (Bromus inermis L.). Animal grazing applications were performed in the second and the third year of the study since the first year covered only the establishment of the artificial pastures. Forage samples were collected from grazing and non-grazing areas once every 15 days during the grazing seasons. The crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) contents, total digestible nutrient (TDN) and relative feed value (RFV) were determined on the smooth bromegrass forage samples. According to results, CP, TDN and RFV values decreased throughout the grazing season, while ADF and NDF contents increased in grazing and non-grazing areas. The ADF and NDF contents of smooth bromegrass in non-grazed areas were higher than the grazed areas, while CP, TDN and RFV values of grazed areas were higher than non-grazed areas. It can be concluded that the harvesting at the late stages caused a reduction in forage quality of smooth bromegrass in grazing and non-grazing areas.

To study the organic matter digestibility of feeds 22 in vivo and in vitro digestion experiments were carried out by using DAISY II filter bags system in the Eerika Experimental Farm of the Estonian Agricultural University in 1997-2001. In the in vivo experiments 4 rams and special boxes were used. The in vitro experiments were carried out and the chemical composition of feeds was determined in the laboratory of the Department of Animal Nutrition in the Institute of Animal Science by methods generally recognized in the EU. The objective of the study was the comparison of organic matter digestibility of feeds measured by in vivo methods, by DAISY II filter bags method and of that calculated by acid detergent fibre or neutral detergent fibre.

During the period of 2000 and 2001, field trials were established with the aim to evaluate the productivity and forage quality of lucerne. The most productive lucerne varieties were 'Birute', 'Radius' and 'Belorusskaya' yielding 13.5-14.6 t ha*[-1) DM, during the years of sward use. The most content of crude protein 170-175 g kg*[-1) have been obtains from 'Karly', 'Radius' and 'ABT-205'. The highest digestibility was observed in the developing line No 60. Acclimatization of rhizobia within lucerne roots has been determined applying streptomycin resistant forms. In field conditions acclimatization within lucerne was more successful by strains 05 (40-100%).