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Nutrient Composition, Forage Parameters, and Antioxidant Capacity of Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa , L.) in Response to Saline Irrigation Water

Author

Listed:
  • Jorge F. S. Ferreira

    (US Salinity Laboratory, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA)

  • Monica V. Cornacchione

    (US Salinity Laboratory, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA
    Currently at INTA- Estaci
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Xuan Liu

    (US Salinity Laboratory, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Donald L. Suarez

    (US Salinity Laboratory, 450 W. Big Springs Rd., Riverside, CA 92507, USA
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Although alfalfa is moderately tolerant of salinity, the effects of salinity on nutrient composition and forage parameters are poorly understood. In addition, there are no data on the effect of salinity on the antioxidant capacity of alfalfa. We evaluated four non-dormant, salinity-tolerant commercial cultivars, irrigated with saline water with electrical conductivities of 3.1, 7.2, 12.7, 18.4, 24.0, and 30.0 dS·m −1 , designed to simulate drainage waters from the California Central Valley. Alfalfa shoots were evaluated for nutrient composition, forage parameters, and antioxidant capacity. Salinity significantly increased shoot N, P, Mg, and S, but decreased Ca and K. Alfalfa micronutrients were also affected by salinity, but to a lesser extent. Na and Cl increased significantly with increasing salinity. Salinity slightly improved forage parameters by significantly increasing crude protein, the net energy of lactation, and the relative feed value. All cultivars maintained their antioxidant capacity regardless of salinity level. The results indicate that alfalfa can tolerate moderate to high salinity while maintaining nutrient composition, antioxidant capacity, and slightly improved forage parameters, thus meeting the standards required for dairy cattle feed.

Suggested Citation

  • Jorge F. S. Ferreira & Monica V. Cornacchione & Xuan Liu & Donald L. Suarez, 2015. "Nutrient Composition, Forage Parameters, and Antioxidant Capacity of Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa , L.) in Response to Saline Irrigation Water," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 5(3), pages 1-21, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:5:y:2015:i:3:p:577-597:d:53323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Díaz, F.J. & Grattan, S.R. & Reyes, J.A. & de la Roza-Delgado, B. & Benes, S.E. & Jiménez, C. & Dorta, M. & Tejedor, M., 2018. "Using saline soil and marginal quality water to produce alfalfa in arid climates," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 199(C), pages 11-21.
    4. Petru Alexandru Vlaicu & Arabela Elena Untea & Raluca Paula Turcu & Mihaela Saracila & Iulia Varzaru & Alexandra Gabriela Oancea, 2023. "Chemical composition of dietary alfalfa and its effectiveness on broiler chicken thigh meat quality," Czech Journal of Food Sciences, Czech Academy of Agricultural Sciences, vol. 41(4), pages 279-286.
    5. Jorge F. S. Ferreira & Xuan Liu & Stella Ribeiro Prazeres Suddarth & Christina Nguyen & Devinder Sandhu, 2022. "NaCl Accumulation, Shoot Biomass, Antioxidant Capacity, and Gene Expression of Passiflora edulis f. Flavicarpa Deg. in Response to Irrigation Waters of Moderate to High Salinity," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-14, November.
    6. Hu, Yanzhe & Kang, Shaozhong & Ding, Risheng & Zhao, Qing, 2021. "A crude protein and fiber model of alfalfa incorporating growth age under water and salt stress," Agricultural Water Management, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).

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