Variations in Forage Quality of Two Halophyte Species, Camphorosma monspeliaca and Limonium iranicum at Three Phenological Stages

Abstract

This study was conducted to compare forage quality of two native halophyte<br />species Camphorosma monspeliaca and Limonium iranicum collected from Meighan<br />saline rangelands near Arak city in center of Iran. Edible biomass of both species was<br />sampled on three phonological stages (vegetative growth, full flowering and seed<br />ripening). Forage quality indices such as Crude Protein (CP), Dry Matter Digestibility<br />(DMD), Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Metabolizable Energy (ME), Acid Detergent Fiber<br />(ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Phosphorus (P) were evaluated. The results<br />indicated there were significant differences (p<0.01) between species and phenological<br />stages. L. iranicum had the highest CP (14.62%) in vegetative stage while C. monspeliaca<br />had the lowest CP (5.39%) in flowering stage. C. monspeliaca also exhibited the highest<br />Relative Feeding Values (RFV=135.9), which was significantly different from those of L.<br />iranicum. In both species, the CP, DMD and ME were decreased with progressing<br />phonological stages while ADF and NDF, increased. Our findings showed that these<br />halophyte species contain reasonable CP level which could provide N requirements of<br />grazing animals whereas Phosphorus was deficient for sheep, suggesting supplementary<br />feeding. The results support the good potential of halophytes and salt tolerant plants as<br />source of livestock fodders and arid and semi-arid rangelands improvement.