Mineral assessment in Atriplex halimus L. and Atriplex nummularia L. in the arid region of Jordan

Abstract

The
foliage of Atriplex halimus contained higher levels (P
< 0.05) of ash (28.03%) than that of Atriplex nummularia
(23.11%). Spring growth of the two saltbushes contained
less ash than the fall regrowth. The foliage of A. halimus
contained higher levels of macro-minerals than A. nummularia
plants except sodium. The two saltbushes contained higher levels
of P, K and Mg during spring, but lower levels of Ca and Na
compared to the growth of the fall season. Levels of Fe, Cu,
Mn and Se present in the foliage of A. nummularia plants
were higher than A. halimus. Clipping had no significant
effect on ash content of saltbushes, but it affected the composition
of the ash significantly. Clipping decreased the concentrations
of Ca, P, Na, Mg and Fe in the foliage of clipped shrubs. The
mineral composition of the two species of Atriplex appeared
adequate to meet the requirements of sheep and goats grazing
such types of forage.

African Journal of Range & Forage Science 2003, 20(3): 247–251