FEEDING VALUE OF BIRD’S–FOOT TREFOIL (LOTUS CORNICULATUS L.) CULTIVAR UNDER CONDITIONS OF THE CENTRAL NORTHERN PART OF BULGARIA

During the period 2010–2012 in the Research Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture–Troyan was conducted a study on the Forage (energy and protein) Feeding Value of the Following Bird's–foot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) Cultivars Introduced in Bulgaria: 'Bright', 'Georgia 1' (USA), 'Nueltin' (USA), 'Witt', 'Pardee' (USA), 'Roseau' (USA), 'Steadfast', 'Trevig' (USA) with origin the USA. The changes of proteins and fibers, analyzed by means of classical chemical analysis such as, Weende and Van Soest analysis, in vitro enzyme digestibility of organic substance of eight bird's–foot–trefoil cultivars were compared with indicators of the standard cultivar 'Targovishte 1'. The crude protein content in the studied bird's–foot–trefoil cultivars varied from 16.66 ('Witt') to 20.50 % ('Pardee') dry matter. Average for the period 'Witt' cultivar was distinguished by the lowest content of crude fiber (5.48 % below the standard) and the highest dry matter digestibility–63.29 % (1.14 % over the standard). The share of neutral detergent fibers in dry matter of bird's–foot trefoil cultivar of 'Pardee' was 7.4 % less in comparison with 'Targovishte' cultivar. In cell wall composition of 'Roseau' cultivar, hemicellulose prevailed at the highest level, and fiber fractions of ADF and ADL were at the lowest level, which presupposed a high quality and good forage digestibility. According to net energy feeding value, the average values of studied cultivars did not exceed the standard cultivar. 'Pardee' cultivar had the highest feeding value: TDP (PBD): 160.0 g kg –1 , PDIN: 128.7 and PDIE: 101.5 g kg –1 . Keyword: bird's–foot trefoil cultivars, chemical composition, in vitro digestibility, energy and protein nutritional value.