DETERMINATION OF SEASONAL CHANGES OF FEED VALUE OF COMMON GRAZABLE SPECIES AŞAĞI GÖKDERE MACQUIS SHRUBLANDS

Abstract

This study was conducted in the years of 2018-2020 to determine the feed value of common shrub species that can be grazed in the maquis area around Aşağı Gökdere village of Isparta. Ten species (Quercus coccifera, Quercus infectoria, Quercus cerris, Phillyrea latifolia, Spartium junceum, Crataegus monogyna, Paliurus spina-christi, Juniperus oxycedrus, Cistus creticus and Arbutus andrachne) were used in the study. Leaf samples were collected from these species in each season. Dry matter content, crude protein content, NDF, ADF, total digestible nutrients, relative feed value and tannin content were determined. According to the analysis of variance, the differences between seasons and shrub species were found to be statistically significant in all traits analyzed. According to the two-year averages, when the seasons were compared, the highest crude protein content, total digestible nutrients and relative feed value were obtained in spring, decreased as the seasons progressed, and the lowest values were obtained in winter. The lowest dry matter ratios, ADF and NDF values were obtained in spring and they increased in parallel with the progression of the seasons. The lowest condensed tannin ratios were obtained in spring and summer, while the highest values were determined in autumn. When the species were compared, the lowest dry matter and condensed tannins contents were found in Spartium junceum, while NDF and ADF ratios were found in P. spina-christi. The highest crude protein content was determined in Quercus infectoria, while total digestible nutrients and relative feed value were determined in P. spina-christi species. As a result, it was observed that shrubs, shrub-formed trees and shrubs in the maquis have an important potential as high quality feed for ruminants during the critical period in semi-arid and arid regions.