Forage quality and yield of Sal Pasture (Rize, Türkiye)
Abstract
This study investigated the forage quality and yield of Sal Pasture, located in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize province, within the Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye. The study was conducted during July of 2023 and 2024. Plant samples were collected from 12 different selected points using 50x50 cm quadrats, harvesting vegetation at ground level. Subsequent laboratory analyses determined key nutritional parameters. The average fresh yield was 721.50 kg/da, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) observed between the two years (748.00 kg/da in 2023 and 695.00 kg/da in 2024). Similarly, dry matter yield also showed a significant inter-annual variation (p<0.05), averaging 158.24 kg/da (164.00 kg/da in 2023 and 152.48 kg/da in 2024). The average crude protein (CP) content was 13.27%, indicating a moderate protein level. Fiber fractions, as measured by acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF), averaged 37.39% and 64.92%, respectively. Digestible dry matter (DDM) averaged 59.77%, and the relative feed value (RFV) was 85.66. Digestible energy (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) averaged 2.83 Mcal/kg and 2.32 Mcal/kg, respectively. Mineral analysis revealed average concentrations of 0.22% phosphorus (P), 1.43% potassium (K), 1.47% calcium (Ca), and 0.39% magnesium (Mg). The Ca/P ratio averaged 6.68, and the K/(Ca+Mg) ratio averaged 0.77, with a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) observed between years for the latter (0.81 in 2023 and 0.72 in 2024). These findings provide valuable insights into the nutritional potential of Sal Pasture for livestock grazing and highlight the influence of inter-annual variability on forage quality and yield.
Keywords
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