Chemical composition of Salicornia arabica (L.), a potential halophyte for arid rangelands
Bouzid Nedjimi A B and Brahim Beladel A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Laboratory of Exploration and Valorisation of Steppe Ecosystem, Faculty of Science of Nature and Life, University of Djelfa, Cité Aîn Chih, PO Box 3117 Djelfa 17000, Algeria.
B Corresponding author. Email: bnedjimi@yahoo.fr
The Rangeland Journal 38(1) 103-107 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ15090
Submitted: 4 September 2015 Accepted: 25 January 2016 Published: 3 March 2016
Abstract
This assessment of the chemical composition of Salicornia arabica (L.) (Amaranthaceae) for grazing ruminants was carried out in the arid steppe of Algeria. Instrumental neutron activation analysis was used to determine the levels of some essential (Na, K, Ca, Fe, Zn and Co) and potentially toxic elements (Ba, Cs and Sc). Results showed that S. arabica had sufficient levels of Ca, K, Co and Fe to meet the requirements of small ruminants. However, this halophyte shrub also had a high Na content (~7%) exceeding the requirements of the animals, and which could limit its DM intake and digestibility. Consequently, provided fresh drinking water is readily available, then mixing this halophyte with other succulent plants like Cactus sp., is a promising strategy to enhance livestock intake. Toxic elements were within the safety baseline of all the assayed elements recommended by the National Research Council.
Additional keywords: arid steppe, instrumental neutron activation analysis, livestock, mineral requirements, toxic elements.
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