The Impact of Livestock Grazing Intensity on the Quantity and Quality of Bromus Tomentellus Boiss Aerial Organs (Case Study: Northeast of Delfan County)
2023
Amir Mirzaei Mossivand
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different grazing intensities on the quality and quantity of Bromus tomentellus Boiss, a forage species in the mountain ranges of northeastern Delfan. Three grazing zones were selected, including a reference area with no grazing, a medium grazing area, and a heavy grazing area. Surface coatings were sampled in a systematic randomized way in 30 plots of 1*1 square meter during three transects with a length of 100 meters. Vegetation characteristics such as canopy cover and density were calculated, and production per unit area was determined using the cutting and weighing method. The aerial parts of B. tomentellus in each treatment were harvested, dried, and analyzed for crude protein, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, digestible dry matter, and metabolic energy. The results showed that grazing intensity had a significant effect on the percentage of crude protein, potassium, phosphorus, calcium, digestible dry matter, and metabolic energy, as well as on density, crown cover, and production of B. tomentellus. In both heavy and medium grazing treatments, protein decreased by 28% and 8%, respectively, while potassium, phosphorus, calcium, digestible dry matter, and metabolic energy decreased significantly in areas with grazing compared to the exclosure area. The amount of production, density, and canopy in the medium and heavy grazing areas was lower than in the reference area. The study concluded that heavy and medium grazing can negatively impact the quantity and quality of B. tomentellus.
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