Comparison of forage quality characteristics between narrow-leaf and broadleaf species in the warm steppe climate of Khuzestan

This research was aimed to study the forage quality of narrow-leaf and broadleaf species, compatible with the warm steppe climate of Khuzestan. The study was conducted during 2011-2012 using a one-way analysis of variance and three replications. In this experiment, 14 common native species in the region from five botanical families were selected. The sampling was done at late flowering stage. Traits such as total dry matter, organic matter, ash, protein, crude fiber, crude energy, soluble carbohydrates and starch were investigated. According to the results, the highest percentage of protein and fiber was measured for the plants from the Leguminous and Poaceae families, respectively. In addition, a significant negative correlation was found between the protein and fiber percentage (r=-0.565**). Melilotus officinalis, from the leguminous family, had the highest crude energy with no significant difference with some species from the Poaceae family. The highest content of ash and lowest crude energy were recorded for Malva parviflora. Avena ludoviciana and Hordeum murinum from the Poaceae family had the highest and lowest content of soluble carbohydrates, respectively. Generally, planting of the species compatible with the climate of the region could be used both for forage production in rangelands and vegetation restoration in degraded rangelands.