Effect of Phenological Stages on Chemical Composition of Platychaete aucheri Boiss. as an Important Endemic Shrub in Iran

Abstract

Platychaete aucheri Boiss. is a native long-lived, perennial shrub adapted to the arid regions of southern Iran. The objective of this study was to evaluate the nutritive composition of the endemic forage species, P. aucheri Boiss., in arid communal grazing area of southern Iran. Aerial parts of plants were harvested at three vegetation stages (prebud, flowering, and maturity) in the natural habitats of Jahrom area. The chemical analysis included were crude protein (CP), ash, metabolizable energy (ME), dry matter digestibility (DMD), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Growth season had a significant effect on the forage quality of P. aucheri Boiss. The foliage CP content and ME value ranged from 3.56 to 4.56 % and from 6.11 to 8.07 MJ kg−1, respectively. The DMD and CP declined when plant matured. Phenological stage indicated a significant effect on NDF and ADF values, increasing from flowering to maturity stage. The highest crude protein content was 4.56 %, and it would be concluded that this plant alone could not meet nutritional requirements of grazing animals. In general, the best grazing time is in the flowering stage when the forage has higher nutritive composition.