Evaluation of a diverse collection of red clover for forage quality and antioxidant activity

Description of the subject. Red clover is an important forage legume and a rich source high quality for livestock feed. This study assesses diverse red collection agronomic value, antioxidant activity in relation to status (cultivar vs natural population) ploidy level (diploid or tetraploid) purpose diversity identification potential heterotic groups classification accessions according results analyses. Objectives. The aims this research were to: i) explore traits, quality, level; ii) assess trait associations possibility indirect selection; iii) cluster with regard activity. Method. was represented by 46 accessions, cultivars populations diploid (2n) tetraploid (4n) levels from 17 countries, which collected preserved Institute Field Vegetable Crops Novi Sad, Serbia. following traits determined two-year field trial at Rimski Šančevi, Serbia: plant height (PH), internodes number (IN), green mass yield (GMY), dry matter (DMY), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral (NDF), digestible (DDM), intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV) All characterized second cut year life when 20-25% flowers appeared. Results. had higher values PH, IN, GMY, DMY, DDM, DMI, RFV. CP, NDF DDM. 39.9% 21.9% smaller capacity, respectively. capacity positively associated RFV, GMY but negatively ADF NDF. Conclusions. grouping based on parameters five clusters. High-quality shorter length good leaf stem ratio proportion.