Nutritional evaluation of some forage plants from Harboi rangeland, Kalat, Pakistan.

Abstract

The proximate composition and cell wall analysis of some fodder species from Harboi rangeland, Kalat, Balochistan was conducted at three phenological stages. It was concluded that grasses generally had more DM, CF, carbohydrates, NFE, NDF, ADF and hemicelluloses than shrubs while shrubs were generally high in ash, CP, EE, N, GE, ADL contents than grasses. There were insignificant differences in TDN, DE and ME between grasses and shrubs. Generally DM, CF, NDF, ADF, ADL, carbohydrate and hemicellulose contents increased with the maturity of plants; while ash, CP, EE, N and ME declined with maturity of plants. Some parameters like NFE, GE, DE and TDN did not differ among various phenological stages. The nutritive quality of forage decreased with the advancement of phenological growth stages in all analyzed plants. Across all the grazing seasons the forage for sheep and goats was generally deficient in most of the nutrients required for growth and maintenance. It is concluded that the poor livestock productivity in Harboi rangeland is partially due to insufficient amount of available poor quality forage that requires attention of the range mangers to improve the habitat and livestock breeds.