Study of preference value of five range species for Tali goat in Zaminsang region, Hormozgan province

In order to investigate the preference value of plants, this study was conducted in a rangeland in Hormozgan province. To determine the preference value in this region, two methods of timing, production and consumption of plant species were used using Tali goats during the months of grazing season (January to May) for 4 years (2007-2009). The results of analysis of variance for the preference value in the timing method (using a video camera) showed that there is a significant difference in terms of forage consumption time between species. So that Alhagi persarum with the highest mean (43.9%) along with Aeluropus lagopoides with an average (31.5%) were in a class statistically, followed by Desmostachya bipinnata, Atriplex leucoclada, Halocnemum strobilaceum, Suaeda fruticosa, Tamarix mascatensis and annuals are 6.6%, 5.4%, 3.6%, 2.8%, 2.3% and 3.7%, respectively. Finally, Lycium shawii plant with the average of 0.2% has the lowest class. There was also a significant difference in the interaction factor of year and species, so that Alhagi persarum in the second year (2008) was ranked first with 68.7%. The results of analysis of variance for species exploitation percentage also showed a significant difference between the study years. The first, third and fourth years were in one group and the second year with the lowest percentage of exploitation (36.4%) was in the second group. The highest percentage of exploitation belonged to Aeluropus lagopoides with 54.3% in 2009. According to the preference value index classification, Aeluropus lagopoides, Atriplex leucoclada and Alhagi persarum were among the moderately palatable species (class II) and Halocnemum strobilaceum and Desmostachya bipinnata were among the almost non-palatable species (class III).