This study was carried out over the experimental fields of Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture Gümüşdere Campus. Experiments were conducted with 3 different irrigation water salinity levels (S1=0.25 dS/m – control/tap water, S2=1.5 dS/m, S3=3.0 dS/m) and 4 different leaching ratios (LF1=10%, LF2 =20%, LF3 = 35%, LF4=50%) in randomized plots factorial experimental design with 3 replications. Totally, 36 (3×4×3) lysimeters were used in present experiments. Plant height, fresh and dry herbage yield and total ash content of alfalfa plants were analyzed. With increasing salinity levels, plant height, fresh and dry herbage yields decreased and total ash contents increased. Positive effects of leaching applications were observed, but this effect was not found to be significant. The main reason for this situation may be the necessity of a good drainage system for a good leaching application.

The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of whey powder (WP) supplementation on chemical composition, silage fermentation, in vivo digestibility and net energy lactation (NEL) value of high dry matter (DM) alfalfa silage (Haylage). Alfalfa treated with different doses WP (0, 2, and 4%) were ensiled in plastic cans for 60 days. Nine Kıvırcık rams were used to estimated digestibilities of haylages in 3x3 Latin Square design with fifteen days experimental period. According to the results, the addition of WP significantly increased the DM of alfalfa haylage compared to the control whereas decreased ether extract, crude protein and crude ash. But, cell wall fraction rates of all groups were similar. Relative feed value and physical characteristics other than color improved in WP supplemented groups, and lactic acid rates increased in these groups. In terms of silo acids, the best values were found in the group with 4% WP. On the other hand, the addition of WP increased the organic matter digestibility of haylages, however the effect on other in vivo digestibility of crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract and neutral detergent fiber was insignificant. Moreover, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and NEL values of haylages were found to be improved with the addition of WP. As a result, it was concluded that in order to obtain quality haylage in the ensiling of high DM and long chopped alfalfa, WP generally can be used as an alternative source of carbohydrates and a 4% whey powder dose can be recommended in the production of haylage especially in the sense of improving silage fermentation.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of lactic acid bacteria+ enzyme (LAB+E) inoculants on the fermentation characteristics and feed values of silages prepared from alfalfa harvested at three maturity stages. Alfalfa was harvested at the early, middle and late flowering stages. Sil-All (Alltech, UK) were used as LAB+E inoculants. Inoculants were applied to the silages at the rates of 1×105, 5×105 and 1×106 cfu/g levels in 1 liter capacity plastic bags. The bags were stored at 20±2°C under the laboratory conditions. Three bags from each group were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses on the 45th day after ensiling. The results showed that LAB+E inoculants reduced pH values and ammonia-nitrogen content, whereas increased lactic acid contents and lactobacillus count of alfalfa silages. High doses LAB+E inoculant decreased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content, increased in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolic energy of alfalfa silages. It has been demonstrated that the most effective application dose of LAB+E inoculant to improve fermentation and feed value of alfalfa silage was 1×106 cfu/g, but 1x105 and 5×105 cfu/g level can also be considered as effective dose.

Chromosome line and characterization of nine Turkish alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) lines were investigated using karyological techniques in this study. Root tips were obtained from germinated alfalfa seeds in petri dishes at room temperature (25°C) for visualizing somatic chromosomes. The chromosome numbers of nine alfalfa lines were determined as 2n=4x=32. The karyotype formula of 2n=32= 30m+ 2sm (30 median + 2 submedian) were noted for Line 1, 2and 3. Whereas, Line 4, 6, 8, 9 showed the karyotype formula of 2n=32=32m (32 median). The karyotype formula of Line 5 and 7 were 2n=32=28m+4sm (28 median + 4 submedian). Satellite chromosome pairs were observed from Line 5. The results of the karyotype asymmetry index analysis showed that intrachromosomal asymmetry is higher than interchromosomal asymmetry in the karyotypes of alfalfa lines.

This study was carried out to determine the effects of lactic acid bacteria+ enzyme (LAB+E) inoculants on the fermentation characteristics and feed values of silages prepared from alfalfa harvested at three maturity stages. Alfalfa was harvested at the early, middle and late flowering stages. Sil-All (Alltech, UK) were used as LAB+E inoculants. Inoculants were applied to the silages at the rates of 1×105, 5×105 and 1×106 cfu/g levels in 1 liter capacity plastic bags. The bags were stored at 20±2°C under the laboratory conditions. Three bags from each group were sampled for chemical and microbiological analyses on the 45th day after ensiling. The results showed that LAB+E inoculants reduced pH values and ammonia-nitrogen content, whereas increased lactic acid contents and lactobacillus count of alfalfa silages. High doses LAB+E inoculant decreased neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber content, increased in vitro organic matter digestibility and metabolic energy of alfalfa silages. It has been demonstrated that the most effective application dose of LAB+E inoculant to improve fermentation and feed value of alfalfa silage was 1×106 cfu/g, but 1x105 and 5×105 cfu/g level can also be considered as effective dose.

For protein evaluation of feedstuffs for ruminants, the Streptomyces griseus protease test offers a purely enzymatic approach to estimate ruminal protein degradation. This study was conducted to determine the enzymatic crude protein (CP) degradability of alfalfa, sainfoin, and common vetch hays, which are commonly used in ruminant nutrition. To estimate CP degradation, fifteen samples from each type of hay were incubated in vitro with a commercial protease extracted from Streptomyces griseus. The incubation was carried out for 1, 4, 24, and 48 hours in a borate-phosphate buffer at pH 8. Significant differences in CP degradability values were found among all three types of hay across all incubation periods. For all incubation periods, sainfoin had the lowest CP degradability values (P < 0.05), due to its high content of cell wall components and condensed tannins (CTs). For incubation periods longer than 1 hour, common vetch had the highest CP degradability values, followed by alfalfa and sainfoin, respectively (P < 0.05). As a result, the use of the protease enzyme extracted from Streptomyces griseus was confirmed as an effective method for estimating the CP degradability of selected legume forages in the laboratory, eliminating the need for animal testing. However, since plant proteins are often embedded within carbohydrate complexes, it is recommended that future tests consider the combined use of protease and carbohydrase, particularly for sainfoin, which is rich in cell wall components and condensed tannins.

For protein evaluation of feedstuffs for ruminants, the Streptomyces griseus protease test offers a purely enzymatic approach to estimate ruminal protein degradation. This study was conducted to determine the enzymatic crude protein (CP) degradability of alfalfa, sainfoin, and common vetch hays, which are commonly used in ruminant nutrition. To estimate CP degradation, fifteen samples from each type of hay were incubated in vitro with a commercial protease extracted from Streptomyces griseus. The incubation was carried out for 1, 4, 24, and 48 hours in a borate-phosphate buffer at pH 8. Significant differences in CP degradability values were found among all three types of hay across all incubation periods. For all incubation periods, sainfoin had the lowest CP degradability values (P < 0.05), due to its high content of cell wall components and condensed tannins (CTs). For incubation periods longer than 1 hour, common vetch had the highest CP degradability values, followed by alfalfa and sainfoin, respectively (P < 0.05). As a result, the use of the protease enzyme extracted from Streptomyces griseus was confirmed as an effective method for estimating the CP degradability of selected legume forages in the laboratory, eliminating the need for animal testing. However, since plant proteins are often embedded within carbohydrate complexes, it is recommended that future tests consider the combined use of protease and carbohydrase, particularly for sainfoin, which is rich in cell wall components and condensed tannins.

The aim of this study was to reveal the effect of whey powder (WP) supplementation on chemical composition, silage fermentation, in vivo digestibility and net energy lactation (NEL) value of high dry matter (DM) alfalfa silage (Haylage). Alfalfa treated with different doses WP (0, 2, and 4%) were ensiled in plastic cans for 60 days. Nine Kıvırcık rams were used to estimated digestibilities of haylages in 3x3 Latin Square design with fifteen days experimental period. According to the results, the addition of WP significantly increased the DM of alfalfa haylage compared to the control whereas decreased ether extract, crude protein and crude ash. But, cell wall fraction rates of all groups were similar. Relative feed value and physical characteristics other than color improved in WP supplemented groups, and lactic acid rates increased in these groups. In terms of silo acids, the best values were found in the group with 4% WP. On the other hand, the addition of WP increased the organic matter digestibility of haylages, however the effect on other in vivo digestibility of crude protein, crude fiber, nitrogen free extract and neutral detergent fiber was insignificant. Moreover, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and NEL values of haylages were found to be improved with the addition of WP. As a result, it was concluded that in order to obtain quality haylage in the ensiling of high DM and long chopped alfalfa, WP generally can be used as an alternative source of carbohydrates and a 4% whey powder dose can be recommended in the production of haylage especially in the sense of improving silage fermentation.

This study was carried out over the experimental fields of Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture Gümüşdere Campus. Experiments were conducted with 3 different irrigation water salinity levels (S1=0.25 dS/m – control/tap water, S2=1.5 dS/m, S3=3.0 dS/m) and 4 different leaching ratios (LF1=10%, LF2 =20%, LF3 = 35%, LF4=50%) in randomized plots factorial experimental design with 3 replications. Totally, 36 (3×4×3) lysimeters were used in present experiments. Plant height, fresh and dry herbage yield and total ash content of alfalfa plants were analyzed. With increasing salinity levels, plant height, fresh and dry herbage yields decreased and total ash contents increased. Positive effects of leaching applications were observed, but this effect was not found to be significant. The main reason for this situation may be the necessity of a good drainage system for a good leaching application.