Table 1 Chemical compositions (g/kg of DM, unless otherwise stated) and microbial populations (fresh matter basis) of fresh alfalfa at two growth stages

Chemical compositions (g/kg DM)

 pH

5.81

5.59

 Dry matter (g/kg FW)

219^b

238^a

 Water soluble carbohydrates

47.1^b

56.4^a

 Buffering capacity (mEq/kg DM)

208^a

131^b

 Crude protein

187

190

 Neutral detergent fiber

314^b

337^a

 Acid detergent fiber

284^b

296^a

Microbial populations (Log₁₀ cfu/g FW)

 Lactic acid bacteria

3.76^b

4.33^a

 Aerobic bacteria

6.76^b

7.39^a

 Yeasts

3.02^b

3.89^a

 Enterobacteriaceae

6.18^b

6.96^a