Investigation on the effects of Phenological Stages on Forage Quality and Soluble Carbohydrates in Salsola arbuscula and Salsola richteri species in Saline Rangelands of Sabzevar

Determination of forage quality of range plants is one of the fundamental factors for evaluating grazing capacity. There are spatial and temporal variations in forage quality of range species. In this study, samples from two halophyte species including Salsola arbuscula and Salsola richteri were collected at three phenological stages of vegetative growth, full flowering and seed dissemination with three replications at research station of Poshteh Abbas Sabzevar. The quality indices of acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude fiber (CF), crud protein (CP), metabolic energy (ME), dry matter digestibility (DMD) and soluble carbohydrate (WSC) were measured or estimated. Analysis of variance and Duncan's multiple range test were used for data analysis. The results indicated that forage quality of both species in vegetative growth was higher than the other stages. Forage quality indices and water soluble carbohydrates were significantly different at different phenological stages and between the species (P<0.05). Salsola richteri had a better forage quality than Salsola arbuscula in all phenological stages. Considering the result of this research, the second stage (flowering) was determined as the most suitable period for livestock grazing. Because at this time, forage quality and soluble carbohydrate of plant are desirable for grazing and grazing will cause less damage to plants.