The leaves of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) are a valuable source of protein, and the stems a source of fiber. Harvest methods are sought that would allow separation of different plant fractions for agricultural or industrial functions. A solution is proposed, consisting of collecting leaves together with upper, fine stem fragments, while leaving most of the stem standing in the field. For this purpose, a modified flail chopper (MFC), typically used for harvesting green forage, was employed. The objective of this study was to assess the forage value of alfalfa biomass harvested at various development stages using an MFC, and stem stubble remaining after harvest. Alfalfa was harvested with a sickle-bar mower or MFC in the first and second cuts at bud, early flower and late flower stages of development. Using the MFC, 60% to 74% of the potential dry matter yield of alfalfa was harvested, in which the proportion of leaves was, on average, 22% greater than the proportion of leaves in forage harvested with a mower. Crude protein concentration was, on average, 16% greater and neutral detergent fiber concentration 13% less in alfalfa harvested with the MFC than with a mower. In alfalfa harvested with the MFC at early flower, crude protein concentration and in vitro true digestibility were similar or greater than, with neutral and acid detergent fiber at a similar or lower level as in forage harvested with a mower at bud stage. The forage nutritive value of alfalfa harvested with an MFC at late flower was similar to the forage value of alfalfa cut with a mower at early flower. The chemical composition of the 20 to 50 cm tall residual stubble was affected little by plant maturity or harvest method, and the quality parameters also indicate the possibility of its forage use.

Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a long-lived perennial legume grown for forage and green manure in northern and central Europe. It is distinguished by a high proportion of leaves in the aboveground mass, tall hollow stems, and rhizomes. A method to harvest galega allowing the separation of leaves, upper stem fragments, and inflorescences from the thick, woody parts of the stem is therefore justified. This would significantly expand the possibilities of using galega herbage, including as feed for monogastric animals. A modified flail chopper (MFC), a machine originally used for harvesting green forage, was used for the fractionated harvest of galega. The aim of this study was to evaluate the yield potential of various plant fractions of the first and second cut of fodder galega at three development stages and their nutritive value when harvested with an MFC. With this harvest system, 68–78% of the potential dry matter yield of galega was harvested, where leaves accounted for 73% of the dry matter on average, while the proportion of leaves in the yield of galega harvested with a mower (M) ranged from 50% to 60%. In the biomass of the first cut of galega, harvested with the MFC, protein concentration was 215 g kg⁻¹, 11.5% greater than in the biomass of the whole aboveground mass harvested with a mower. In the second cut, this difference, in favor of the MCF, was greater by 14%. The concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) was 7.5% lower and acid detergent fiber 11% lower in galega forage harvested with the MFC compared to with a mower. Furthermore, galega harvested with MFC had 13% greater NDF digestibility and 6% greater in vitro true digestibility. The stubble remaining after MFC harvest accounted for 33% of the total height and 27% of the plant dry mass, and its qualitative composition indicates that it could be used in rations of livestock with low nutritional requirements or for non-forage purposes. Galega harvest with the MFC resulted in greater protein concentrations and overall improved nutritive value of the forage even at advanced development stages.

The agricultural policy of the European Union is currently focused on increasing the area of organic farming. Medicinal plants, including milk thistle (Silybum marianum [L.] Gaertn.), are particularly suitable for this type of cultivation. The aim of this study was to compare milk thistle fruits from organic and conventional farming in terms of the content of silymarin and individual flavonolignans, oil content, microbiological purity, as well as antimicrobial activity of the silymarin extract, mainly in relation to microorganisms responsible for skin infections. The raw material of Silybi mariani fructus obtained from organic farming did not differ in terms of silymarin and oil content compared to the raw material from conventional cultivation. However, it differed in the composition of silymarin and the level of microbiological contamination. Raw material from organic farming was mostly characterized by a higher proportion of the sum of silydianin and silychristin in the silymarin complex than the sum of silybinin A and silybinin B. In the samples from conventional cultivation, only genotypes with a predominance of silybinins were present. Although the total number of microorganisms (TAMC) and yeasts and molds (TYMC) on fruit from organic farming were several times higher than on fruit from conventional farming, it was still within the standards set for food products. All raw materials were free of Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes. In addition, it was shown that the silymarin extract from organic farming was generally characterized by greater antimicrobial activity, especially in relation to Staphylococcus aureus, which is resistant and troublesome in skin infections.

Fodder galega (Galega orientalis Lam.) is a perennial forage legume that can be an alternative to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under more difficult environmental conditions. Galega is characterized by leafiness, and technology is now available to harvest leaves separately from stems, providing opportunity to utilize the more nutritious leaves as a feed protein source, and stems for alternative purposes. Our objective was to assess leaf, stem, and whole plant production and nutritive value of galega relative to alfalfa. Field-grown galega and alfalfa were sequentially harvested from bud to late flower maturity stages in first and second growth over two years. The proportion of leaves in galega at each harvest was greater than that of alfalfa, on average by 35%. The yield of galega leaves and yield of crude protein (CP) from leaves was also greater, on average by 31% and 18%, respectively. However, galega leaves had lower CP concentration, contained more fiber, and were less digestible than alfalfa leaves. Although the proportion of stems in galega was lower, the mean dry matter yield of stems of both species was similar. Crude protein concentration in the stems of both species was similar, but galega stems tended to contain more fiber and be less digestible than alfalfa stems. The dry matter yield of whole plant galega was greater than that of alfalfa, especially in the spring cut. Whole plant galega contained, on average, 6% more CP, and galega protein yield was also 16% greater than that of alfalfa. Whole plants of both species were generally characterized by similar levels of fiber and digestibility. The relatively high leaf-protein yield of galega under a two-harvest regime makes fractional harvest of this crop an attractive management strategy.