Hosein Arzani; Farajollah Tarnian; Javad Motamedi; Morteza Khodagholoi
Volume 21, Issue 2 , August 2014, , Pages 198-207
Abstract
Forage quality is one of the most important factors in determination of the rangeland grazing capacity and also indicates the sufficiency of nutritive requirements of grazing animals. In this research, the samples of range species (including; Acantholimon festucaceum, Andrachne fruticulosa, Artemisia ...
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Forage quality is one of the most important factors in determination of the rangeland grazing capacity and also indicates the sufficiency of nutritive requirements of grazing animals. In this research, the samples of range species (including; Acantholimon festucaceum, Andrachne fruticulosa, Artemisia sieberi, Euphorbia decipiens, Noaea mucronata, Scariola orientalis, Stachys inflate, Stipa Arabica and Stipa barbata) in Maime, which were dominant in region, were collected in three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and seeding) in three replications, and five individual plants were collected in each replication. Then, plant samples were chemically dissolved to measure the nitrogen (N) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). A split plot in a completely randomized design was used to analyze the data. Results indicated that the mean of effective indices on forage quality had considerable changes in phenological stages and it had significant influence on the forage quality. With progress of growth stages, the amount of crude protein (CP), dray mater digestibility (DMD) and metabolism energy (ME) decreased and the amount of acid detergent fiber (ADF) increased. In addition, results showed that crude protein amounts of all studied species in vegetative and flowering stage swere more than critical level (7%) for need of daily animal requirement and in seeding stage was less than animal requirement. Mean value of dray mater digestibility (DMD) in vegetative stage was more than critical level (50%), and in flowering stage and seeding stage were less than its critical level for need of maintenance. The mean value of metabolism energy in all three phenological stages was less than critical level (8 Mj/Kg/DM) for need of maintenance of single animal unit. This suggests that desirable quality of pasture forage at different grazing times is not same and determination of daily animal unit requirement based on forage quality is needed. In general, the studied ranges are desirable in terms of supplying the required daily crude protein for animal units, grazing in rangelands, but in terms of providing metabolism energy are undesirable.
Hossein Arzani; Hossein Pouzesh; Javad Motamedi (torkan); Rasoul Mirakhorli; Seyed Ali Niknejad
Volume 19, Issue 3 , December 2012, , Pages 384-394
Abstract
In this study, five rangeland species including Festuca rubra, Astragalus glocucantus, Astragalus flocoffus, Acantolimon erinaceum and Acantophyllum sordidum were selected at three phenological stages of vegetative growth, flowering and seeding. These species are almost palatable and important in rangelands ...
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In this study, five rangeland species including Festuca rubra, Astragalus glocucantus, Astragalus flocoffus, Acantolimon erinaceum and Acantophyllum sordidum were selected at three phenological stages of vegetative growth, flowering and seeding. These species are almost palatable and important in rangelands of Jashlobar, Semnan. For each phenological stage, three replications and for each replication, five species were collected. Plant samples were analyzed to determine N percentage as well as acid detergent fiber (ADF). Crude protein (CP), dry matter digestibility (DMD) and metabolizable energy (ME), were estimated based upon N percentage and acid detergent fiber (ADF)., Split-plot design was applied for data analysis in a randomized complete design with 3 replication sand 15 treatments for each location. After collecting the data, combined analysis of variance was used in order to investigate the changes of forage quality index. According to the results, chemical composition of plants showed significant changes and phenological stages had a significant effect on forage quality. With the advance of growth, CP, DMD and ME decreased while ADF content increased. Obtained results are applicable for estimating daily required forage for grazing livestock and determining appropriate time for livestock entry to the rangeland.