The influence of harvest term on the isoflavone content in red clover leaves

Abstract

Influence of the harvest term of red clover on content of five isoflavones in leaves was examined in microfields experiment. It was found that the content of these compounds in leaves of red clover collected in flowering stage was the same as in clover collected in the budding stage, in the first cut. In the second cut the isoflavone content was determined by phase of plant development. The level of formononetin, biochanin A and pratensein in the second cut was higher than in the first cut, but the content of daidzein and genistein was lower. The cutting date of the first cut can influence on the isoflavone content at the second cut. Tetraploid varieties acumulated more isoflavones than diploid varieties.