Estimating Qualitative Parameters of Three Halophytes using NIR Technology

Abstract

Improvement of the traits related to forage quality including Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), and CP in forage species has a significant impact in increasing livestock production. In breeding programs that the number of samples is occasionally high, the use of chemical methods is time-consuming and costly. For this reason, NIR technology has been introduced as a rapid and accurate method in estimating chemical com-position of agricultural products. This research was aimed to investigate the possibility of using this technology in estimation of NDF, ADF, CP, DMI, DMD, ME, RFV and WSC in Suada fritucosa, Seidlitzia rozmarinos and Aeluropus littoralis. A total of 45 samples of each species were selected during different phenological growth stages and from different vegetation types. According to the result, phonological stages of growth had a significant influence on forage quality. In all species, the amount of CP, DMD, ME and RFV decreased with progressing growth stages, while NDF, ADF and WSC contents increased. The index is measured on the basis of the highest quality forage species Seidlitzia Rozmarinos is with RVF=98.27 and Suada fritucosa species had the lowest forage quality (RVF=67.28). The results of this study showed the halophytes have potential for future applications to serve as sources of fodder, forage and other possible uses.