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Forage quality profiling of pre-selected alfalfa genotypes: towards genetic enhancement and adaptation for arid dryland farming

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Abstract

This study addresses the challenge of arid conditions in drylands by focusing on fortifying the resilience of alfalfa within an ongoing varietal improvement initiative. The assessment encompasses five pre-selected alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) populations bred in The Institute of Arid Regions, Medenine (Tunisia). The primary objective is to formulate an alfalfa genetic pool that is optimized for breeders and farmers in arid regions and emphasizes chemical composition, biochemistry, in vitro digestibility (IVDMD), and relative feed value (RFV). Significant differences (p < 0.05) among alfalfa populations were observed for all parameters except acid detergent fiber (ADF) and IVDMD. Key variations include crude protein (CP) (15.21–21.82%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (42.96–53.78%), ADF (31.13–39.17%), RFV (111.96–122.73), IVDMD (55.14–61.41%), ash (9.74–12.45%), total polyphenols (29.95–39.55 mg GAE g−1 DM), and total flavonoids (26.4–35.15 mg QE g−1 DM). Crucially, multivariate analysis identified superior performers, specifically the populations “AME” and “GAB.” These findings will guide ongoing genetic enhancement initiatives and contribute to the development of an alfalfa variety that is explicitly tailored to arid agricultural settings, thereby advancing sustainable agriculture in challenging environments.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author (ST) upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the Dryland Farming & Oasis Cropping Laboratory (LR16IRA02) at the Arid Lands Institute of Médenine, Tunisia

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dryland Farming and Oasis Cropping Laboratory (LR16IRA02), Institute of Arid Regions of Medenine, University of Gabes, Road of Djorf Km 22, 4119, Medenine, Tunisia

    Samir Tlahig, Hédi Yahia & Mohamed Loumerem

  2. Project Management Office PMO-UCAR, University of Carthage, Avenue of the Republic BP 77-1054, Amilcar, Tunis, Tunisia

    Samir Tlahig

  3. The Higher Institute of Applied Biology of Medenine, Road of Djorf Km 22, 4119, Medenine, Tunisia

    Inès Karmous

  4. Plant Toxicology and Molecular Biology of Microorganisms, Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte (FSB), University of Carthage, 7021, Zarzouna, Tunisia

    Inès Karmous

  5. Regional Center for Agricultural Research, Sidi Bouzid, Route Gafsa Km 6, 9100, Sidi Bouzid, Tunisia

    Naziha Ayeb

  6. Livestock and Wildlife Laboratory, Institute of Arid Regions of Medenine, University of Gabes, Road of Djorf Km 22, 4119, Medenine, Tunisia

    Naziha Ayeb, Ahlem Atoui, Mabrouk Seddik, Mohamed Dbara, Mariem Rejeb & Touhami Khorchani

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  1. Samir Tlahig
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Contributions

Conceptualization: ST, TK, and ML; supervision: TK and ML; identification and verification of the taxonomic category of the plant materials: ST and ML; experiments and data curation: ST, IK, NA, HY, MD, MR, and AA; atomic absorption analysis: ST and MD; in vitro digestibility analysis curation and validation: ST, MS, MD, and TK; statistical analysis: ST; writing and drafting: ST and IK; funding: ML and TK.

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Correspondence to Samir Tlahig.

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Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

The rumen fluid extracts obtained from goats in our in vitro digestibility experiment were utilized in accord with ethical principles and regulatory requirements. The extraction process received approval from the veterinary unit of the Arid Lands Institute (IRA) of Médenine on behalf of the Tunisian committee entrusted with overseeing animal experimentation ethics. The extracts were responsibly collected from goats bred within the Wildlife and Livestock Laboratory of the IRA, following rigorous protocols established in compliance with animal ethics approvals. Collection methods, such as using a fistula or stomach tubing, were carefully implemented to ensure the welfare and well-being of the animals involved.

Declaration of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process

During the preparation of this work, the authors did not use any generative AI nor AI-assisted technologies in the writing process and take full responsibility for the content of the publication.

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Responsible Editor: Giulia Guerriero.

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Tlahig, S., Karmous, I., Ayeb, N. et al. Forage quality profiling of pre-selected alfalfa genotypes: towards genetic enhancement and adaptation for arid dryland farming. Euro-Mediterr J Environ Integr (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41207-024-00487-2

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