NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF SEVERAL VARIETIES OF PERENNIAL ALFALFA (Medicago sativa L.) GROWN UNDER IRRIGATED CONDITION IN NORTHERN ALGERIA

Abstract

The chemical composition and nutritional value of 16 perennial alfalfa varieties Medicago sativa L. from different origins, newly introduced in Algeria were determined. The methods of analysis were those of the AOAC. The nutritive value was calculated from the forecasting equations of INRA.The results obtained are more than convincing, indeed the results of the chemical composition are very interesting and sometimes even superior to the results of the literature. By its richness in UFL (>0,87 and up to 0,90) and in PDI, the alfalfa shows a very good nutritional value, that it is in irrigated or in dry, our varieties showed a very good adaptation even in condition of hydric stress.

Keywords

• algeria
• alfalfa
• chemical composition
• nutritive value