Effect of soil chemical properties on forage quality in dry rangeland in south of Fars province

This study was carried out to compare the forage quality parameters (CP, DMD and ADF) in two phenological stages between two regions in south of Fars province. The two regions were located close together, and with the exception of soil characteristics, were similar in terms of other environmental factors. One region had a saline-alkali soil (pH= 8.30, EC=15.6, SAR=6.51, ESP=%2.84.) and the other region had an alkali soil (pH= 8.53, EC=1.24, SAR=4.18, ESP=%1.12.8). The common plant species were sampled. An independent t-test was used to compare the content of ADF, CP and DMD of forage in each phenological stage between saline-alkali and alkali soils. A paired t-test was applied to compare forage quality parameters between two phenological stages in each species separately. Results showed that in both phenological stages, halophytes such as Atriplex halimus and Seidlitzia rosmarinus had a better forage quality in alkali soils. Most species were not significantly different in forage quality parameters between the two regions. In vegetative growth stage, DMD and CP content in halophytes were higher in saline-alkali as compared to alkali soils, and ADF was also higher in saline-alkali than that of alkali soils for a few halophytes such as Seidlitzia rosmarinus. In flowering stage, except for Seidlitzia rosmarinus, digestibility of species was not affected by soil chemical properties. This study showed that some species had relatively more adaptation to harsh condition, and subsequently had higher forage quality. Therefore, the manager could identify these species and use for conservation purposes.