Investigation of change in nutrient composition and alfatoxin level of alfalfa hay culvatated in ipekyolu town of van province

The aim of this study was to determine the nutrient change and aflatoxin levels from harvesting to storage period of alfalfa hay produced in İpekyolu district of Van province. 208 enterprises cultivated alfalfa was determined as research areas, and 30 enterprises were selected by stratified random sampling method. The nutrient composition, total carotene, retinol and tocopherol, Ca, Na, K, Mg and aflatoxin (B1, B2, G1 and G2) of alfalfa hay were analyzed in different periods. According to data optained from, the day matter (DM) levels in Ağzıkara and Karagündüz villages at the time of harvest present studyp were 37.50% and 40.90%, respectively, and the differences among the enterprises in DM level were found significant (P<0.05). The overall CP content (15.30%) being high at the time of harvesting decreased to 12.67% and to 11.82% after drying in the field and stored alfalfa. While ADL contents were 9.89% at the time of harvesting, this rate increased to 11.61% after storage alfalfa for samples (P<0.05). Althoug total carotene content at the time of harvesting was highest (140.86%), this level decreased after drying in the field and after storage (P <0.05). Aflatoxin B1, B2, G1 and G2 were not found in alfalfa hay samples during harvesting, drying and storage periods times. In conclusion, results related to CP, ADF, NDF, ADL and aflatoksin levels may showed that, alfalfa hay from the enterprises representing the İpekyolu District of Van province may be considered as medium quality hay.