Nutritive Value of Pastures in Kars District I. Botanical and Nutrient Composition at Different Stages of Maturity

Authors : İsmail KAYA, Ahmet ÖNCÜER, Yücel ÜNAL

Pages : 275-280

View : 15 | Download : 4

Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The objectives of this study were to examine the botanical composition and determine the nutritive value of pastures in 9 different locations in Kars district with respect to stages of maturity. Samples were collected bi-weekly from 21 May to 30 July 1999. The Gramineae, Leguminoseae and other plant families constituted 64.2, 22.8 and 13.0% of the plant population, respectively. There was a variation in the nutrient composition of samples collected from different locations insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.05);. Average dry matter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DM); content was 28.8% and concentrations of organic matter insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(OM);, crude protein insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CP);, crude fiber insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CF);, neutral detergent fiber insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NDF);, nitrogen-free extract insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(NFE);, ether extract insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(EE); and ash on a DM basis were 90.8, 15.3, 30.0, 57.6, 43.4, 2.0 and 9.2%, respectively. Stage of maturity altered nutrient composition insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(P < 0.5);. Concentrations of OM, NFE and ash did not change, CP linearly decreased, and CF and NDF quadratically increased with advancing maturity. In conclusion, the Gramineae were the predominant flora of pastures in northeastern Turkey. Moreover, mathematical models developed to characterize changes in the nutrient composition of pastures with advancing maturity may help to improve current feeding strategies.
Keywords : Pasture, botanical composition, nutrient composition, stage of maturity, mathematical model