Abstract
The foliage of Atriplex halimus contained higher levels (P < 0.05) of ash (28.03%) than that of Atriplex nummularia (23.11%). Spring growth of the two saltbushes contained less ash than the fall regrowth. The foliage of A. halimus contained higher levels of macrominerals than A. nummularia plants except sodium. The two saltbushes contained higher levels of P, K and Mg during spring, but lower levels of Ca and Na compared to the growth of the fall season. Levels of Fe, Cu, Mn and Se present in the foliage of A. nummularia plants were higher than A. halimus. Clipping had no significant effect on ash content of saltbushes, but it affected the composition of the ash significantly. Clipping decreased the concentrations of Ca, P, Na, Mg and Fe in the foliage of clipped shrubs. The mineral composition of the two species of Atriplex appeared adequate to meet the requirements of sheep and goats grazing such types of forage.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 247-251 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | African Journal of Range and Forage Science |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Dec 2003 |
Keywords
- Ash
- Clipping
- Foliage
- Saltbush
- Season
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ecology
- Animal Science and Zoology