Comparison of forage quality of Camphorosma monspeliaca and Echinophora platyloba in Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province

Determination of forage quality of available species is one of the fundamental factors for evaluation of grazing capacity and management of rangelands. Acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude fiber (CF), crude protein (CP), metabolic energy (ME) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) are some of the important factors in evaluation of forage quality. The present research was conducted to evaluate forage quality of Camphorosma monspeliaca and Echinophora platyloba In habitat of Doto-tangsayad of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari Province. The study area is located in the north east of Shahrekord. During the study, samples were collected from species of C monspeliaca and E platyloba with four replications in three phonological stages. The quality indices of acid ADF, CF, CP, ME and DMD were measured at three stages of vegetative growth, flowering and seed ripening (maturity). First, data of quality indices were examined by SPSS software for normality then, these indices were compare at three stages of vegetative growth, flowering and seed ripening for these species by applying one way ANOVA. The results showed that forage quality of these species were higher in vegetative growth than of flowering and seed ripening, Which is because of high values of CP, DMD, ME and also low degree of ADF and CF in this phonological stage, which appeared with significant difference (p<0.05) for all factors. This two species from aspect of multipurpose has high important that can be considered.