Sainfoin in Ruminant Nutrition: An In-Depth Comparison with Alfalfa, Barley, Wheat, and Maize

Mikail Yeniçeri; Ayşe Gül Filik; Gökhan Filik

doi:10.35229/jaes.1754326

EN TR

Sainfoin in Ruminant Nutrition: An In-Depth Comparison with Alfalfa, Barley, Wheat, and Maize

Abstract

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), a perennial legume, is increasingly recognized for its role in sustainable ruminant nutrition due to its high protein content, condensed tannins, and ecological benefits. This article provides a comprehensive analysis of sainfoin’s contributions to livestock production, comparing its nutritional, agronomic, and environmental attributes with alfalfa (Medicago sativa), barley (Hordeum vulgare), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and maize (Zea mays). Drawing on 80 peer-reviewed studies from 2020-2025, the study evaluates sainfoin’s impact on protein utilization, gastrointestinal parasite control, methane emission reduction, soil health, and biodiversity. Sainfoin’s condensed tannins enhance nitrogen efficiency by 25-30%, reduce parasite loads by 45-50%, and lower methane emissions by 20-23%, outperforming alfalfa’s bloat-prone profile and the high-input requirements of cereal crops. Its nitrogen fixation (100-150 kg N/ha/year) and drought tolerance (300-500 mm/year water) reduce fertilizer needs by 30-40% and support marginal lands, while its flowers boost pollinator populations by 20%. A detailed comparative analysis highlights sainfoin’s advantages, such as reduced feed costs (15-20%) and enhanced ecosystem services, alongside limitations like low seed yield (0.5-1.0 t/ha). The study explores sainfoin’s applications in grazing, silage, and crop rotations, offering practical recommendations for its integration into sustainable farming systems. By addressing research gaps, including breeding for higher yields and adaptability to acidic soils, this article underscores sainfoin’s potential to address global challenges in food security, climate change, and environmental sustainability, providing actionable insights for farmers, researchers, and policymakers.

Keywords

Sainfoin , ruminant nutrition , sustainability , alfalfa , barley , wheat , maize , forage crops

Ruminant Beslenmesinde Korunga: Yonca, Arpa, Buğday ve Mısırla Derinlemesine Bir Karşılaştırma

Öz

Çok yıllık bir baklagil olan korunga (Onobrychis viciifolia), yüksek protein içeriği, yoğunlaştırılmış tanenleri ve ekolojik faydaları nedeniyle sürdürülebilir geviş getiren hayvan beslenmesindeki rolüyle giderek daha fazla tanınmaktadır. Bu makale, korunganın hayvancılık üretimine katkılarının kapsamlı bir analizini sunmakta ve besinsel, tarımsal ve çevresel özelliklerini yonca (Medicago sativa), arpa (Hordeum vulgare), buğday (Triticum aestivum) ve mısır (Zea mays) ile karşılaştırmaktadır. 2020-2025 yılları arasında 80 hakemli çalışmaya dayanan çalışma, korunganın protein kullanımı, gastrointestinal parazit kontrolü, metan emisyonunun azaltılması, toprak sağlığı ve biyolojik çeşitlilik üzerindeki etkisini değerlendirmektedir. Korunganın yoğunlaştırılmış tanenleri azot verimliliğini %25-30 oranında artırır, parazit yüklerini %45-50 oranında azaltır ve metan emisyonlarını %20-23 oranında düşürür; yoncanın şişmeye meyilli profilinden ve tahıl ürünlerinin yüksek girdi gereksinimlerinden daha iyi performans gösterir. Azot fiksasyonu (100-150 kg N/ha/yıl) ve kuraklığa toleransı (300-500 mm/yıl su), gübre ihtiyacını %30-40 oranında azaltır ve marjinal arazileri desteklerken, çiçekleri tozlayıcı popülasyonlarını %20 oranında artırır. Ayrıntılı bir karşılaştırmalı analiz, düşük tohum verimi (0,5-1,0 t/ha) gibi sınırlamaların yanı sıra, korunganın azaltılmış yem maliyetleri (%15-20) ve gelişmiş ekosistem hizmetleri gibi avantajlarını vurgular. Çalışma, korunganın otlatma, silaj ve ürün rotasyonundaki uygulamalarını inceleyerek, sürdürülebilir tarım sistemlerine entegrasyonu için pratik öneriler sunmaktadır. Daha yüksek verim elde etmek ve asidik topraklara uyum sağlamak için yetiştirme gibi araştırma boşluklarını ele alarak, bu makale korunganın gıda güvenliği, iklim değişikliği ve çevresel sürdürülebilirlik gibi küresel zorlukları ele alma potansiyelini vurgulayarak çiftçilere, araştırmacılara ve politika yapıcılara uygulanabilir içgörüler sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

Korunga , geviş getiren hayvan beslenmesi , sürdürülebilirlik , yonca , arpa , buğday , mısır , yem bitkileri

Kaynakça

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Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

İngilizce

Konular

Ziraat Mühendisliği (Diğer)

Bölüm

Derleme

Yazarlar

Mikail Yeniçeri ^*
0000-0003-1698-6911
Türkiye

Ayşe Gül Filik
0000-0001-7498-328X
Türkiye

Gökhan Filik
0000-0003-4639-3922
Türkiye

Yayımlanma Tarihi

28 Şubat 2026

Gönderilme Tarihi

31 Temmuz 2025

Kabul Tarihi

13 Şubat 2026

Yayımlandığı Sayı

Yıl 2026 Sayı: 2026

DOI

https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1754326

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA92ZT45RT

APA

Yeniçeri, M., Filik, A. G., & Filik, G. (2026). Sainfoin in Ruminant Nutrition: An In-Depth Comparison with Alfalfa, Barley, Wheat, and Maize. Journal of Anatolian Environmental and Animal Sciences, 2026. https://doi.org/10.35229/jaes.1754326

JAES, 2016- 11.yıl

Sainfoin in Ruminant Nutrition: An In-Depth Comparison with Alfalfa, Barley, Wheat, and Maize

Abstract

Keywords

Ruminant Beslenmesinde Korunga: Yonca, Arpa, Buğday ve Mısırla Derinlemesine Bir Karşılaştırma

Öz

Anahtar Kelimeler

Kaynakça

Ayrıntılar

Birincil Dil

Konular

Bölüm

Yazarlar

Yayımlanma Tarihi

Gönderilme Tarihi

Kabul Tarihi

Yayımlandığı Sayı

DOI

IZ

Kaynak Göster