Some chemical and morphological properties of five clover species (Trifolium sp.) at different aspect of pasture in Belovets village (Razgrad), Bulgaria

The aim of investigation was to determine the effects of aspect (north and south) on some morphological [plant height (cm), number of stems per plant, main stem diameter (mm), number of leaves per main stem, petiole length (cm), leaflet length (cm), leaflet width (cm), leaf: stem ratio] and chemical [crude protein (%), crude cellulose (%), calcium (%), phosphorus (%), potassium (%) and magnesium (%) ratios] properties of five clover species [hare’s-food clover (Trifolium arvense L.), field clover (T. campestre Schreb.), suckling clover (T. dubium Sibth.), alsike clover (T. hybridum L.) and zigzag clover (T. medium L.)] in pasture vegetation. The plant height, main stem diameter, number of leaves per main stem, petiole length, leaflet length, leaflet width, leaf: stem, crude protein, crude cellulose, calcium and potassium ratios were affected by aspect. The maximum plant height (65.53 cm), leaf: stem ratio (1.17) and crude protein ratio (20.00%) were found in zigzag clover on north-facing of pasture. The highest magnesium ratio (0.41%) and lowest number of stems per plant (4.85) were determined from the zigzag clover. The hare’s-food clover showed lower values (P