127
grows a similar number of shoots. Thus, within certain limits of the amount of sowing seeds, there is a similar crop density structure and similar yield. In addition to
the sowing rate, the number of shoots per m
2
was differentiated by swaths and the
age of the plantation. In addition to the density of plants and shoots in the field, the
productivity of perennial legumes is influenced by their individual (genetic) characteristics, such as: height and stalk size, branching degree, leaf arrangement on the
stem, which determine the intensity of light penetration in different parts of the
field. The LAI leaf index, responsible for the intensity of photosynthesis and the
productivity of biomass, also depends on these elements (Sawicka et al. 2000;
Sawicka and Kalembasa 2013).
In the cultivation of lucerne and red clover, a marked decline has recently been
noted. In relation to the eighties, in recent years their production for fodder decreased
by about 30%, comparing the efficiency of feed units (JP) from 1 ha. In turn, the
results of varietal experiments indicate that the potential production possibilities of
alfalfa, for example, are high and amount to 18–28 thousand. JP, and red clover
16–24 thousand. JP from ha We see very large production reserves inherent in
genetic material and agrotechnics and exploitation. The difference is over 200% and
is the highest compared to other fodder plants. Small-winged butterfly plants can be
harvested at different frequencies. This applies mainly to red clover and hybrid and
seed alfalfa. The harvesting intensity is regulated by the quality of the feed, the yield
and the durability of the plantations. Plants mown in the early stages of development (before stalking) are characterized by high protein content, low fiber and dry
matter, and are mainly suitable for drought or leaf protein, while collected at later
stages of development give higher yields of dry matter, but contain less protein, and
more fiber. Breeding achievements affecting the productivity of field crop species
mainly concern red clover and hybrid and seed alfalfa. The cultivated tetraploid
varieties of red clover in comparison to diploid ones are characterized by higher
green and dry matter yield, larger size of morphological body organs (stems, leaves,
inflorescences, seeds) and higher protein yield. They are more durable and more
useful for more frequent (3-fired) harvest in earlier development phases. Other
breeding works, e.g. in the area of red clover, are carried out over increasing the
resistance of clover and powdery mildew varieties and increasing their durability,
while in alfalfa they include works on the durability of varieties for frequent mowing and kneading with heavy mechanical equipment, resistance to venous diseases,
greater tolerance to lower soil pH and high concentration of aluminum, as well as
suitability for pasture use (Sawicka et al. 2000; Sawicka and Kalembasa 2013). The
disadvantage of some perennial legume plants is the presence of anti-nutritional
substances that reduce the nutritive value of feed and may even be toxic to animals.
Due to their role and function in life processes, plants are classified as so-called
secondary metabolites. These include: cyanogenic glucosides, saponins, coumarins,
tannins, estrogens. These substances, from the nutritional point of view, are considered unfavorable, but for plants they are a natural protection against pests and diseases. Plants selected to lower the level of secondary metabolites lose these
protective barriers and are more exposed to the negative effects of the environment.
Secondary metabolites play an important role in the nutrition of both humans and
7 Alternative and New Protein Sources
grows a similar number of shoots. Thus, within certain limits of the amount of sowing seeds, there is a similar crop density structure and similar yield. In addition to
the sowing rate, the number of shoots per m
2
was differentiated by swaths and the
age of the plantation. In addition to the density of plants and shoots in the field, the
productivity of perennial legumes is influenced by their individual (genetic) characteristics, such as: height and stalk size, branching degree, leaf arrangement on the
stem, which determine the intensity of light penetration in different parts of the
field. The LAI leaf index, responsible for the intensity of photosynthesis and the
productivity of biomass, also depends on these elements (Sawicka et al. 2000;
Sawicka and Kalembasa 2013).
In the cultivation of lucerne and red clover, a marked decline has recently been
noted. In relation to the eighties, in recent years their production for fodder decreased
by about 30%, comparing the efficiency of feed units (JP) from 1 ha. In turn, the
results of varietal experiments indicate that the potential production possibilities of
alfalfa, for example, are high and amount to 18–28 thousand. JP, and red clover
16–24 thousand. JP from ha We see very large production reserves inherent in
genetic material and agrotechnics and exploitation. The difference is over 200% and
is the highest compared to other fodder plants. Small-winged butterfly plants can be
harvested at different frequencies. This applies mainly to red clover and hybrid and
seed alfalfa. The harvesting intensity is regulated by the quality of the feed, the yield
and the durability of the plantations. Plants mown in the early stages of development (before stalking) are characterized by high protein content, low fiber and dry
matter, and are mainly suitable for drought or leaf protein, while collected at later
stages of development give higher yields of dry matter, but contain less protein, and
more fiber. Breeding achievements affecting the productivity of field crop species
mainly concern red clover and hybrid and seed alfalfa. The cultivated tetraploid
varieties of red clover in comparison to diploid ones are characterized by higher
green and dry matter yield, larger size of morphological body organs (stems, leaves,
inflorescences, seeds) and higher protein yield. They are more durable and more
useful for more frequent (3-fired) harvest in earlier development phases. Other
breeding works, e.g. in the area of red clover, are carried out over increasing the
resistance of clover and powdery mildew varieties and increasing their durability,
while in alfalfa they include works on the durability of varieties for frequent mowing and kneading with heavy mechanical equipment, resistance to venous diseases,
greater tolerance to lower soil pH and high concentration of aluminum, as well as
suitability for pasture use (Sawicka et al. 2000; Sawicka and Kalembasa 2013). The
disadvantage of some perennial legume plants is the presence of anti-nutritional
substances that reduce the nutritive value of feed and may even be toxic to animals.
Due to their role and function in life processes, plants are classified as so-called
secondary metabolites. These include: cyanogenic glucosides, saponins, coumarins,
tannins, estrogens. These substances, from the nutritional point of view, are considered unfavorable, but for plants they are a natural protection against pests and diseases. Plants selected to lower the level of secondary metabolites lose these
protective barriers and are more exposed to the negative effects of the environment.
Secondary metabolites play an important role in the nutrition of both humans and
7 Alternative and New Protein Sources