Authors : A. A. Aganga and U. J. Omphile
Abstract: The study determined the chemical composition of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa) cut at five different stages of growth. As maturity increases, yield also increases, but at the same time, quality decreases due to the increase in the proportion of fibrous stems to leaves. The immature plants have a high proportion of leaves, and the stems have not yet become highly lignified. The crude protein (CP) reduced from 24.78% at pre-bud stage to 15.81% at 100% bloom stage.
A. A. Aganga and U. J. Omphile , 2005. Chemical Composition of Medicago sativa (ALFALFA) Cut at Different Stages of Growth in Gaborone Botswana . Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 4: 1-2.