Journal of Rangeland

Determining the nutrition values of range plant species and investigating their balance with livestock requirements is essential for grazing management. This study aimed to determine and compare the mineral contents of Hedysarum criniferum and Astragalus cyclophyllon in three phonological stages (vegetative growth, flowering and seed dispersal) in Chadegan region of Isfahan province. The plant samples were collected from 1 cm above the ground surface and their mineral elements were measured in laboratory using various methods. Factorial statistical method in the form of a randomized complete design with two treatments and three replications was used to analyze the data. According to the results, mineral contents of the species varied significantly in various growth stages (P ≥ 0.05). Comparing mineral contents of the species with sheep requirements revealed that k, Mg, Ca and Fe contents of the plant species meet sheep daily requirements, but their P and Zn contents were insufficient for sheep in the both species. The measured amount of Cu in the collected samples from Hedysarum criniferum was more than minimum requirement of the sheep daily requirements but it was insufficient in Astragalus cyclophyllon. In conclusion, most of the measured mineral elements were decreased in these species during the phonological stages and these two important native legums meet sheep mineral requirement except p and z.