Carbohydrate complex of green mass of leguminous forage crops

Purpose. To analyze the significance of each of the indicators that are determined and used to characterize the carbohydrate-lignin complex of the green mass of legumes and cereals. Methods. In air-dried samples of the green mass of forage crops (alfalfa, sainfoin, goat's rue, horned yam, creeping clover, Pannonian peas), the content of crude fiber was determined in accordance with DSTU 8844:2019, starch - DSTU ISO 6493:2008; carbohydrate-lignin complex (sums of non-fibrous and structural carbohydrates, sugars, hemicellulose, cellulose) - DSTU 7982:2015; neutral detergent fiber – DSTU ISO 16472, acid detergent fiber and lignin – DSTU ISO 13906:2013. Results. It was established that the green mass of fodder crops in the composition of the carbohydrate-lignin complex contains BER, easily hydrolyzed carbohydrates, sugars, starch, pectin and structural carbohydrates, NDC, CDC, hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin. The highest level of BER – 58%, was observed in the budding and flowering phase of creeping clover. Easily hydrolyzed carbohydrates in horned clover reach 39-47% in the microphases of development. The content of sugars and starch varies: in alfalfa – 7-8% in the tillering phase and 1-1.5% – in full flowering; in goat's rue – 5%; in sweet clover – 7% in the budding phase, 4% – flowering and 2% in – full flowering. In sainfoin – at the level of 7-6% before flowering, with a drop to 2% at the end. In creeping clover, the sugar content is stable – 6% until the full flowering phase. Conclusions. The content of non-fibrous carbohydrates decreases as the plants develop, but in the phase of the beginning of flowering their content is highest, it is this phase of the green mass of leguminous forage crops that is most suitable for harvesting, making feed and feeding them to animals.