Evaluation of the nutritional value of 16 Desmodium germplasms

Desmodium is an important tropical leguminous forage crop. To date, there is only one national variety, which cannot meet the diverse requirements for the development of grass and husbandry industries in the south of China. The safe introduction of foreign germplasms is an effective way to increase the diversification of forage varieties in southern China. The nutritional value of 16 new species of Desmodium introduced from the International Center for Tropical Agricultural (CIAT) was evaluated in this study using the national variety D. ovalifolium ‘Reyan No. 16’ as the control. The evaluation index included 10 items, such as crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber, among others. Results showed that among Desmodium species, D. Glabrum, D. discolorand, D. pabulare, D. cuneatum, D. wigginsii, D. distortum, D. barbatum, D. cajanifolium, and D. salicifolium had higher comprehensive scores for nutritional value and lower or similar tannin content compared with those of CK. These germplasms could thus be used as potential materials to breed new varieties of Desmodium for pastures. The other seven germplasms had relatively lower comprehensive scores, and thus could be used as germplasm resources for green manure or cover crops. This study provides good germplasms to breed new varieties of Desmodium in southern China, which will be beneficial for the diverse requirements of forage and animal husbandry industry development in southern China.