Nutritive value of Atriplex deserticola and Salicornia forage for ruminants

Abstract

Two experiments using lambs were conducted to obtain additional information on the potential nutritional value of halophyte forages for ruminants. In experiment one, Salicornia bigevolii Torr. planted in mid-March and harvested at three dates (July, August and September) replaced wheat straw (30%) in a 65% forage diet. Nutrient composition and digestibility of Salicornia forage declined with advancing maturity. Forage from the July cutting was superior to wheat straw, while that from later cuttings was approximately equal to straw. In experiment two, digestion coefficients were lower when Atriplex deserticola replaced 50% of the alfalfa hay in a 70% roughage diet. Even when all of the alfalfa hay was replaced using a mixture of 85% Atriplex barclayana and 15% Atriplex deserticola consumption by lambs was not adversely affected. It is concluded that Salicornia bigevolii and Atriplex deserticola have potential as feedstuff for ruminants, especially in geographical areas where conventional feedstuffs are not available.