MINERAL STATUS OF RANGE PLANTS FOR GRAZING RUMINANTS IN SEMI-ARID AREAS OF ISFAHAN PROVINCE Isfahan province require mineral supplementation for grazing ruminants, especially for phosphorus, magnesium, copper and sodium.

The mineral status of dominant and palatable range plants (Graminae, Leguminosae, Apiaceae and Chenopodiaceae) in semi-arid areas of Isfahan province was investigated. Samples were taken from two main areas of the province including Semirom and Fereydan. An analysis of the whole plants revealed that the content of phosphorus for all species except for Vicia variabilis, during vegetative and reproductive growth stages, was lower than the critical value required for ruminants (P<0.01). The magnesium content in whole plants for both growth stages, was lower than the critical value for ruminants (P<0.01) except for Eurotia ceratoides. The sodium content in Ferulago angolata, Russian brome(Bromus tomentellus) (P<0.001), pubescent wheat grass (Agropyron trichophorum), feather grass (Stipa barbata) and Vicia variabilis was lower than the critical value (P<0.01). A deficiency of copper, zinc and calcium was observed in some of the species. Data obtained from whole plant samples suggest that semi-arid ranges of