Abstract
Phog (Calligonum polygonoides L.) is widely grown in arid Igdir-Aralik wind erosion site and is an alternative feed source for grazing small ruminant (sheep and goat) in terms of its yield and quality. However, there are no studies on the mineral content during the plant’s active growth period. Our aim is to determine the macro and micro mineral contents during plant’s development and to check whether it meets with the daily mineral requirements of small ruminant. The research was carried out in a protected-area in 2016 and 2017. Samples were taken from 20 selected shrub clusters for 7 months (April-October) at the 15th of each month. Results showed that mineral contents (except copper, zinc and manganese) differs as to months and phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese contents ranged between 0.33- 0.63%, 1.45-2.03%, 1.32-1.81%, 0.65-0.99%, 0.20-0.30%, 99.73-190.43 ppm, 2.00-2.67 ppm, 24.77-31.83 ppm and 34.16-45.56 ppm, respectively. According to these findings, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, sodium, iron, zinc and manganese contents of plant can sufficiently meet the daily requirements of small ruminant while copper content is not enough for the daily requirement. On the other hand, magnesium content was detected to be higher than the recommended level.
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