Moisture relations of hay species

Abstract

Moisture relations of four species used for making hay—white clover (Trifolium repens L.), subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneum L.), lucerne (Medicago sativa L.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)—have been investigated. Shapes and positions of equilibrium moisture content-relative humidity curves differed between species; and in general, moisture contents were lower for fast-cured than for slow-cured material and lower for over-mature than for less mature material. Sorption hysteresis effects were observed. Under the experimental conditions employed, equilibrium moisture contents were lower for material subjected to conditioning atmospheres immediately after mowing than for material cured prior to conditioning. Variations in the shape and position of equilibrium curves were frequently in accordance with known variations in chemical composition.