Determination and comparison of nutritive value of two halophyte grasses: Puccinella bulbosa and Aeluropus littoralis in marginal rangelands of Mighan desert wetland (Arak)

Saline ares and marginal rangelands of Iran wetlands have a great role in supply forage for livestock qualitatively and quantitatively. In this study which carried out during 2011 and 2012, forage quality of four native halophyte and salt tolerant species included Puccinella bulbosa, and Aeluropus littoralis collected from Meighan saline rangelands near Arak (Markazi province), were investigated. Edible biomass of both species was sampled on three phonological stages (vegetative growth, full flowering and seed ripening). Forage quality indices such as Crude Protein (CP), Dry Matter Digestibility (DMD), Dry Matter Intake (DMI), Metabolizable Energy (ME), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Phosphorus (P) were evaluated. The results showed significant differences (p<0.01) between species and phonological stages. According to Duncan mean comparison test, interaction effects of phonological stages and plant species on quality indexes were significant, too. In most of species, the CP and ME were decreased with progressing phonological stages while ADF and NDF, increased Aeluropus littoralis had the highest CP (14.46%) in vegetative stage while Puccinella bulbosa had the lowest CP (10.88%). Generally, Aeluropus littoralis exhibited the higher Relative Feeding Values (RFV=102.98), in comparison to Puccinella bulbosa. The results support the good potential of halophyte grasses of Iran inner wetlands as source of livestock fodders- suggesting supplementary feeding –saline areas improvement.