This essay was part of a ProDer project aiming at measuring and appreciating the natural resources. Was carried out by the Instituto Nacional de Investigação Agrária e Veterinária with Fertipadro company as partner. The main goals were the evaluation of five subterranean clover ecotypes (Trifolium subterraneum spp. brachycalycinum), two of pink serradella (Ornithopus sativus), two of yellow serradella (Ornithopus compressus) and one of biserrula (Biserrula pelecinus). Five commercial varieties of subterranean clover and one of pink serradella were sown for comparison with the new ecotypes. Dry matter production, crude protein, crude fiber and dry matter digestibility were evaluated. The results obtained seem to suggest that three of subterranean clover ecotypes and both pink serradella ecotypes present very promising production and qualitative characteristics, for the Mediterranean region

Mestrado em Engenharia Agronómica - Instituto Superior de Agronomia