A Study on nutritive value of range plants in semnan province (phase I.Analyses of chemical composition)

In order to determine the chemical composition and energy content of herbage, seven species (Bromus tomentellus Ferula gummosa, Tymlls potrianum, Eurotia ceratoide, Prangos femlaceae, Hordeum fragile and Agropyron tricofomm) , which were most dominant range plants in Northern Shahmirzad (Semnan Pprovince) rangeland, were studied. The plants were sampled at pre bloom, mid bloom and pre mature stages for three years. All samples were analyzed according to the standard methods and energy was determined using of calorie meter bomb. Total mean of crude protein (CP) for the above forages were 14.6, 13.4, 7.8, 11.8, 7.8, 9.1 and 9.5 percent, respectively, but there were 16.5, 11.6, 10.3, 15.5, 5.73, 9.6 and 9.4 percent, respectively at fIrst year; 13.6, 14.1, 8.0, 11.1, 10.2, 9.3 and 10.1 percent, respectively at second year and 12.9, 14.6, 5.2, 8.9, 7.5, 8.4 and 9.1 percent, respectively at third year. Regarding the stages, average CP content were 17.0, 14.7, 8.8, 10.1, 7.5, 11.5 and 11.2 percent, respectively at pre bloom; 17.1, 13.2, 7.5, 14.3, 8.4, .8 and 8.8percent, respectively at mid bloom and 8.97 , 12.37 , 7.17 , 11.13 , 7.50, 6.97 and 8.67 percent, respectively at pre mature. Total mean of Crude fib er (CF) was 29.8, 22.1, 31.7, 29.8,25.7,32,8 and 33.4 percent in the mentioned species, respectively, but there were 28.9, 19.1, 29.9, 25.7, 22.0, 31.0 and 31.9 percent, respectively at pre­bloom; 30.7, 22.5, 30.4, 32.0, 26.2, 34.4 and 33.9 percent, respectively at mid-bloom and 29.8, 24.7, 34.7, 31.7,28.9, 33.1 and 34.53 percent, respectivelyatpre-mature. The concentration of Calcium was between 0.98 to 1.8 percent that was varied among the species, but the phosphorous content was similar (0.17 to 0.18 percent) in all species. Among the macro minerals, potasium showed the highest amount (1.9 - 2.75 percent) in all plants. Regarding the micro minerals, Fe showed the highest (217-236 mgJkg), but cuper was at the lowest amount (6.66-8.26 mgJkg), dry matter basis, however Mn was between 54.9-62 and Zn between 31.3-36.1 mglkg dry matter.