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Evaluation and Stability of Red and White Trifolium Species for Nutritional Quality in a Mediterranean Environment

Author

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  • Vasileios Greveniotis

    (Hellenic Agricultural Organization Demeter, Institute of Industrial and Forage Crops, GR-41335 Larissa, Greece)

  • Elisavet Bouloumpasi

    (Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Oenology, Democritus University of Thrace, GR-66100 Drama, Greece)

  • Adriana Skendi

    (Department of Agricultural Biotechnology and Oenology, Democritus University of Thrace, GR-66100 Drama, Greece)

  • Athanasios Korkovelos

    (Directorate of Water Management of Thessaly, Decentralized Administration of Thessaly—Central Greece, GR-41335 Larissa, Greece)

  • Dimitrios Kantas

    (Department of Animal Science, Campus Gaiopolis, University of Thessaly, GR-41500 Larissa, Greece)

  • Constantinos G. Ipsilandis

    (Regional Administration of Crete, GR-71201 Heraklion, Greece)

Abstract

It is generally recognized that clovers represent a major nutrient used in ruminants’ diets due to their composition, which is high in protein content and low in fiber content. Investigating the nutritional quality of red and white clover genotypes, and classifying the genetic materials according to their primary quality attributes were the main goals of the current study. During a two-year experiment, we assessed their performance stability. Twelve red clover ( Trifolium pratense L.) and twelve white clover ( Trifolium repens L.) genetic materials were cultivated in a randomized complete block experimental design. Crude protein (CP%), acid detergent fiber (ADF%) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF%) concentrations were measured, and the relative feed value (RFV) was calculated using the estimates of digestible dry matter (DDM%) and potential dry matter intake (DMI% of body weight) of the forage. The average CP% content for white clover varied between 17.18% (REP-4) and 20.55% (REP-9) during the two years of testing. Regarding the red clover, the populations PRA-4, PRA-3, PRA-5, and PRA-10 exhibited the highest CP% content (19.98%) and the lowest ADF% (less than 29%). Although the variation was stable across the years, the profile of this variation of CP, ADF, and NDF for each clover species differs. The CP% was related negatively to ADF% and thus positively to DDM in both species but not with the same allocation, forming different clusters. PRA-3 and PRA-4 for the red clover and REP-5 for the white clover genetic materials exhibited characteristics belonging to the other species studied regarding their content in protein and fiber. Because of their relationship, CP and DDM could be improved simultaneously by breeders. This study revealed that ROZETA and PRA-4 were more stable genetic materials in red clover, and GRASSLANDS HUIA, RIVENDEL, and REP-5 in white clover.

Suggested Citation

  • Vasileios Greveniotis & Elisavet Bouloumpasi & Adriana Skendi & Athanasios Korkovelos & Dimitrios Kantas & Constantinos G. Ipsilandis, 2025. "Evaluation and Stability of Red and White Trifolium Species for Nutritional Quality in a Mediterranean Environment," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-18, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:4:p:391-:d:1589831
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vasileios Greveniotis & Elisavet Bouloumpasi & Adriana Skendi & Athanasios Korkovelos & Dimitrios Kantas & Stylianos Zotis & Constantinos G. Ipsilandis, 2024. "Modeling Stability of Alfalfa Yield and Main Quality Traits," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Barbara Sawicka & Barbara Krochmal-Marczak & Józef Sawicki & Dominika Skiba & Piotr Pszczółkowski & Piotr Barbaś & Viola Vambol & Mohammed Messaoudi & Alaa K. Farhan, 2023. "White Clover ( Trifolium repens L.) Cultivation as a Means of Soil Regeneration and Pursuit of a Sustainable Food System Model," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-28, April.
    3. Vasileios GREVENIOTIS & Evangelia SIOKI & Constantinos G. IPSILANDIS, 2018. "Estimations of fibre trait stability and type of inheritance in cotton," Czech Journal of Genetics and Plant Breeding, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 54(4), pages 190-192.
    4. Vasileios Greveniotis & Elisavet Bouloumpasi & Stylianos Zotis & Athanasios Korkovelos & Dimitrios Kantas & Constantinos G. Ipsilandis, 2023. "Stability Dynamics of Main Qualitative Traits in Maize Cultivations across Diverse Environments regarding Soil Characteristics and Climate," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-18, May.
    5. Vasileios Greveniotis & Elisavet Bouloumpasi & Stylianos Zotis & Athanasios Korkovelos & Constantinos G. Ipsilandis, 2021. "A Stability Analysis Using AΜΜΙ and GGE Biplot Approach on Forage Yield Assessment of Common Vetch in Both Conventional and Low-Input Cultivation Systems," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-23, June.
    6. Vasileios Greveniotis & Elisavet Bouloumpasi & Stylianos Zotis & Athanasios Korkovelos & Dimitrios Kantas & Constantinos G. Ipsilandis, 2023. "A Comparative Study on Stability of Seed Characteristics in Vetch and Pea Cultivations," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-23, May.
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