Determining the nutritive value of Cenchrus ciliaris during the growth stages in three rangelands of Bushehr province

This research was aimed to determine the nutritive value of Cenchrus ciliaris, as one of the dominant range species of Bushehr province, as well as studying the changes during the growth stages. The study was conducted in three rangelands (Gomaroon, Kaki and Bashi) during December 2009 to May 2010. Sampling was performed randomly at vegetative, flowering and seeding stages and 10 samples were collected from each area. Then, samples were dried and ground to measure DM, CP, Ash, EE, NDF, ADF, ADL, GE, Ca, P, K, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, DMD, OMD and DOMD in the laboratory. A completely randomized design with three treatments (stages) and three replications (areas) was used for statistical analysis. Results showed that NDF and ADF increased with the growth progress but CP, P, K, DMD, OMD and DOMD decreased significantly (P<0.05). The CP content of C. ciliaris, measured at vegetative and flowering stages, can supply the maintenance requirement for a 50-kg mature sheep, a 50-kg mature ewe in the first 15 weeks of pregnancy, and a 40-kg goat. The content ofCa, K, Mg, Na, Fe and Mn, measured for C. ciliaris at different growth stages, were more than critical level for sheep and goats; however, the content of P and Zn at three stages, and the content of Cu (except vegetative stage) were less than critical level. Totally, C. ciliaris is suitable for grazing livestock, especially at vegetative and flowering stages, and if possible, it should be proliferated in similar rangelands.