Quality changes investigating of Prangos ferulaceae in different phenological stages in two site of Fars province

Determination of forage quality is one of the main factors required for proper, systematic and comprehensive management of rangelands. This can help range managers to choose suitable plant for animal feeding. The most effective factor on forage quality is the growth stage which determines the proper time of livestock grazing or forage harvesting in range. Also, range species quality changes in different sites. Therefore, this research carried out to investigate nutritive value of Prangos Ferulacea in two regions of Fars: Sepidan and Kazerun, at three phenological stages (vegetative, flowering and seed ripening). At each stage of phenology, 5 replications and in each replication 4 plants were selected randomly, and samplings from the aerial shoots were conducted. After drying and grinding, samples were analyzed by chemicals to determine the quality traits including crude protein (CP), Acid detergent fiber (ADF), dry matter digestibility (DMD), metabolic energy (ME), digestible energy (DE), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Duncan test, using SPSS software. Results showed that the forage quality in this species decreased with growth stages increasing. Based on the comparison betweenPrangos Ferulacea and other forage species, this species can be used for animal feeding. Contrary to the expectations, the species quality in Kazerun is better than Sepidan. Considering the forage quality changes, the late of vegetative stage and the early of flowering stage are the best times for gazing or harvesting in both sites.