Mineral content of shrubs from goat’s production systems in two seasons in anarid zone

Abstract

Minerals are needed in the diet of animals for maintenance,development, and reproduction. The aim was to determine mineral content ofshrubs consumed by goats in an arid area from three production systems, duringwet and dry seasons. The leaves, pods, stems, or flowers of 34 shrubs and onesupplement were sampled manually and analyzed Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, N, Fe, Mn,Zn, Cu, B, and Cl. The shrubs showed enough K Ca, K, Mg, Na, B, Cl and N forgoat requirements for all production systems; however, P was lower. The Zn, Cu,Fe, and Mn contents were lower in all shrubs. The results suggest that in the studyarea more non-legumes could be used in the goat diet to enhance nutritional valuebecause of their higher mineral content. Considering the status of mineral content,58% of all minerals had higher content in the semi-intensive production system,and possibly, it is the best production system. Adequate values of mineral contentwere found inL. brevipes,T. lobaeformisandA. barclayanain the semi-intensivesystem, while in the extensive system the mineral content was of good nutritionalquality withS. thurberiandC. gayanafor the intensive system. The 35 shrubsshowed differences among macrominerals and the nutritional quantity/quality ofthese minerals for goats varied depending on production system, season, and typesof shrubs.