Sedigheh Zarekia; Mohammad Fayyaz; Niloofar Zare
Abstract
Defining the preference value of plant species is necessary for planning and management of livestock and rangeland. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preference value of plant species grazed by sheep during the grazing period in Khoshkeh rood Saveh Rangeland of Markazi Province using species ...
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Defining the preference value of plant species is necessary for planning and management of livestock and rangeland. The purpose of this study was to investigate the preference value of plant species grazed by sheep during the grazing period in Khoshkeh rood Saveh Rangeland of Markazi Province using species selection index.
Production and consumption data of species in and out of the enclosure was collected over six months of grazing season for three years to calculate the species selection index. Maximum preference values for Poasinaica (in whole grazing season) and Salsolalaricina (especially November and December) and minimum preference values for Cousiniacylindracea (in whole grazing season and especially in dry years) was recorded. Reduction in rainfall in 2008 increased the percentage of utilization and preference index of species. As in April 2008, Artemisia sieberi with preference index 2 was a relatively palatable species and Noaeamucronata and Stachysinflata with preference index over 2.1 were considered quite palatable species. Salsolalaricina in November and December in all the years with preference index over 1.4 was considered as relatively palatable species.
Salsolalaricina is a critical resource for livestock of steppe rangelands throughout the year, especially from mid-November to mid-March. So that in this time, this species has higher palatability than other species accompanied and with proper grazing management should be prevented from excessive utilization.