Εffect of water stress on nutritive value of Lotus corniculatus L. populations in North Greece

Lotus corniculatus is one of the most valuable forage plants with high nutritive value and tolerance to water stress. In the present study the effect of water stress on the nutritive value of three natural populations of different bioclimatic origin of Lotus corniculatus was investigated in the vegetative growth stage. Plants were collected from three different locations (Drama, Kilkis, Taxiarchis Chalkidiki) in 2012 and were transplanted in pots under controlled conditions. Watering treatments included 100% of water capacity and 40% of it. The aboveground biomass of plants from the three populations was cut at the vegetative stage and crude protein NDF, ADF, ADL contents were estimated and the digestibility of dry matter was calculated. Taxiarchis population of Lotus corniculatus regardless water stress was significantly superior to the other two which they did not have significant differences. Water stress regardless population decreased significantly NDF, ADF, ADL and increased significantly the digestibility. However, there were no significant differences on CP content. Moderate water stress seems to reduce the structural carbohydrates and increase the digestibility of L. corniclatus.