Comparison of phenology stages on the forage quality of two rangeland species (Prangos ferulaceae and Dorema aucheri) in summer rangelands of Kohgiloyeh

Authors
Kh Karami
M. Saghari
M. Bashtani
Z. Mohammadi
10.22077/jlr.2013.223
Abstract
Forage plants have different qualities at different times and places. Determination of rangeland forage quality is the main factor for the proper management of rangeland. This study was performed to determine and compare some properties of nutritional value in two rangeland species (Prangos ferulaceae and Dorema aucheri) in three phenological stages (vegetative growth, flowering and seeding) in the summer rangelands of Kohgiloyeh. The experiment was carried out in a completely randomized design with three treatments (three phenological stages) and four replicates for each treatment. Samples were collected, dried and milled and then analyzed for determination of crude protein (CP), ash, phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and gross energy (GE). SAS software and Tukey test were used for statistical analysis and means comparison. The results indicated that the amount of crude protein, ether extract, ash, calcium and phosphorus of both species were greater in the growth stage than the other phenological stages. Crude protein, ash and calcium contents were significantly different (P<0.05) in two plants at all of the three phenology stages. The results showed that the highest forage quality was found in both species at the vegetative growth stages.
Keywords
Forage quality
Prangos ferulaceae
Dorema aucheri
Kohgiloyeh