The Biomass Yield and Biochemical Composition of Some Annual Leguminous Species in Moldova

Victor Țîței

 “Alexandru Ciubotaru” National Botanical Garden (Institute)
of the Moldova State University, Chişinău

Keywords: annual leguminous species, biochemical composition, biochemical methane potential, forage quality, fresh mass, hay.

 Abstract: Research and utilization of the agrobiological potential of the leguminous species becomes more and more relevant. The annual leguminous species Cicer arietinum, Glycine max, Lablab purpureus, Pisum arvense, Trifolium alexandrinum, Trigonella foenum-graecum maintained in monoculture on experimental land in the National Botanical Garden (Institute), Chişinău, Republic of Moldova, served as objects of study. Results revealed that biomass yield of studied annual leguminous species varied from 2.42 to 5.67 kg/m² fresh mass or 0.71 to 1.28 kg/m² dry matter. The biochemical composition of dry matter of the harvested whole plant was 145-216 g/kg CP, 205-310 g/kg CF, 90-126 g/kg ash, 240-332 g/kg ADF, 376-520 g/kg NDF, 36-61 g/kg ADL, 104-271 g/kg Cel, 136-188 g/kg HC, with nutritive and energy value 63.0-70.2% DDM, RFV=113-171, 10.19-11.25 MJ/kg ME and 6.21-7.26MJ/kg NEl. The forage value of prepared hay: 168-209 g/kg CP, 63.5-66.9% DDM, RFV=118-146, 10.26-10.76 MJ/kg ME and 6.28-6.77 MJ/kg NEl. The biochemical methane potential of studied substrates varied from 318-390 l/kg. The harvested biomass from studied annual leguminous species can be used as fodder for farm animals or as co-substrates in biogas plants for the production of biomethane as renewable energy.