Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Forests and Rangelands Research Department, Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bushehr, Iran
2 Department of Nature Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, Shahrekord University, Shahrekord, Iran
3 Soil and water Research Department, Bushehr Agricultural and Natural Resources Research and Education Center, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Bushehr, Iran
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of various ecotypes on the physicochemical indices and nutritional value of two medicinal-rangeland species, namely Bilhar (Dorema aucheri) and Bon-Sorkh (Allium jesdianum), across the habitats of the Central Zagros region. Sampling of the aerial parts of the plants was conducted during the flowering stage. Following the homogenization of leaves and stems, samples were analyzed in four replicates for ash content (ASH), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP), water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC), dry matter digestibility (DMD), moisture content (HUM), crude fat (FAT), titratable acidity (ACID), and pH.Results: Based on the mean comparisons, the "Bid-Sardareh" ecotype emerged as the superior habitat for both species, exhibiting the highest crude protein content (23.43% in Bilhar and 27.68% in Bon-Sorkh) and the lowest NDF (24.09% in Bilhar and 23.35% in Bon-Sorkh). Notably, this ecotype also yielded the highest dry matter digestibility, peaking at 72.58% in Bilhar. Furthermore, Bilhar in the "Zangva" habitat (20.91%) under drought stress, and Bon-Sorkh in "Kuhrang" under cold stress, responded by upregulating their water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC) levels. A highly significant negative correlation was observed between ADF and DMD, confirming the reliability and efficiency of using ADF for the rapid estimation of forage quality. Overall, the results underscore the superiority of the Bid-Sardareh ecotype and highlight the importance of conserving ecotypic diversity as a strategic approach for the sustainable management and conservation of the Zagros rangelands.
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