The relationship between palatability and leaf:stem weight percent (WP) ratio in different phenological stages

Different plant species in different phenological stages dont have similar palatability. Therefore, in range management studying the palatability of forage species can help us select proper plant species with less palatability fluctuations in different stages and increase the potential of efficient utilization of rangelands. In this investigation, the palatability of 3 plant species from Gramineae in different phenological stages and its relationship with leaf:stem WP ratio was studied. The palatability of 3 grass species existence in 2 plant types was measured by camera for sheep and goat in 3 phenological stages. Then analysis of variance and mean comparison (Tukey's test) were done on data. The results showed that in 3 species there is relationship between palatability and leaf:stem WP ratio in second and third phenological stages and in both stages the grass species with the highest leaf:stem WP ratio had the most palatability. In growth stages, Dactylis glomerata was more palatable despite of having lower leaf:stem WP ratio than that of Bromus tomentellus. However, in mentioned stage, Agropyron trichophorum with the lowest leaf:stem WP ratio had the least palatability. Therefore, with conducting more studies, we can find the relationship between leaf:stem WP ratio and grazing time percent in different climates