Determination of nutritional value of four plant species (Malcolmia africana, Plantago lanceolata, Phlomis cancellata, and Klasea latifolia) in rangelands of Bala Jam, Torbat-e Jam

Due to the extensive area and biodiversity, rangelands contribute to meeting the nutritional requirements of grazing livestock; Therefore, a study was conducted to investigate the nutritional value of four range species including Malcolmia africana, Plantago lanceolata, Phlomis cancellata, and Klasea latifolia in the mountainous rangelands of Torbat-e Jam. The sampling of plants was randomly done before flowering stage. A culture medium prepared from sheep's rumen fluid was used to estimate some of the fermentation parameters and dry matter or organic matter degradability of these plants, and their chemical and mineral compositions were determined using common laboratory methods. These plants had different chemical and mineral compositions which the highest amount of dry matter, crude protein and magnesium belonged to Phlomis concellata, the highest amount of organic matter, Nitrogen-free extract, non-fiber carbohydrates, calcium and sodium related to Klasea latifolia, as well as the lowest amount of neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and acid detergent lignin, all belonged to Klasea latifolia. Among the measured minerals, potassium was the highest percentage. The highest amount of phosphorus and potassium belonged to plantago lanceolata. The highest amount of Fe was found in Malcolmia africana. The highest amount of different gas production parameters, degradability of dry matter and organic matter, dry matter intake, relative feed value, relative forage quality, metabolizable energy, net energy for lactation, total volatile fatty acids, and the lowest amount of NH3-N were related to Klasea latifolia. With consider to the obtained findings, it seems that all four studied plants have a potential nutritive value for ruminants, but the nutritional value of K. latifolia was higher among the studied plants.