September, 1950] SRIVASTAVA, MUKERJI AND SHRIKHANDE 179
Figs. 4 and 5 represent the percentage composition of the plant and the yield of
the mineral constituents per acre.
Since berseem supplies large amounts of potassium to animals, potassium was
estimated to study its effect upon nutrition ; this would also indicate to a certain
extent the uptake of potassium by the berseem from the soil.
With the increase, due to photosynthesis, in the dry matter of the plant with
maturity, there is a proportionate decrease in its mineral content. The absorption
of minerals and silica by the plant however continues upto maturity. Absorption
is greatest when plant is making rapid growth either after germination or during the
period of tillering after cuts.
The magnesium, phosphorus and potash content of the plant decreased with
maturity. After each cut there is a rapid absorption of these minerals from the soil
and the new tillers contain more or less the same amount as after germination,
absorption being greater in the early growth. The dates of cut decided upon the
basis of organic constituents also served to give valuable information about minerals.
The calcium content of berseem however increased with age and then fell very
slowly towards maturity. The absorption of calcium by berseem as shown in Fig. 4
indicates an increased uptake in the beginning. It will be interesting to note that the
curves representing the composition of berseem for phosphorus and calcium appear
to be so to say mirror images suggesting some relationship between the absorption
of the two elements, from the soil. Calcium percentage in the plant increased,
whereas the phosphoric acid content decreased with maturity. They appear to be
correlated negatively.
DISCUSSION
Berseem is grown in this province for green fodder and for ensilage. The different
cuts have therefore to be planned keeping in view the yield and nutrient values.
Palatability is another factor to be considered. Berseem with more than 20 per cent
dry matter, i.e., less than 80 per cent succulence becomes unpalatable.
The dry matter percentage ranged from 17 to 20 between the 9th and 11th week
after sowing. The digestible protein content at this stage was 17.6 per cent with the
maximum yield. This applies equally to ether extract and calcium. The crop at this
stage contained nutrients admirably suited for milch and growing animals. Calcium
and phosphoric acid content was sufficient to meet the requirement for rapid milk
and bone formation. Both the calcium-phosphoric acid and calcium-magnesium
ratios were proper for a biological balance. Potash content was 2 per cent, the
optimum above which it may cause digestive disturbances.
From a joint consideration of all these factors it appears that berseem should be
harvested within a fortnight after two months of sowing. Care should however be
taken that in combination with other feeds no other material causing laxative action
is included in the ration and that not more than 50 to 75 per cent of berseem is fed
as a protein supplement. For a growing animal the lower figure is safer.
After the first cut fresh tillers appeared. They made rapid growth. The dry
matter content went up gradually with maturity and reached 19 per cent at the end
F