مقايسه خوشخوراكي گونه هاي مرتعي و رفتار چرايي بز در مراتع پشتكوه استان يزد

An Investigation of Range Plantsʹ Palatability and Goat Behavior in Posht-kooh Rangelands, Yazd Province

In range management, an investigation of the range land plantsʹ preference values is essential, since available forage in every site is dependent on their preference values. Yazdian goat behavior in the Nir Research Station in Posht-kooh steppic ranges was studied for two consequtive years (2000-2001). In this study, six goats were made to grazed in a moderate intensity and rotational grazing system. The goats were kept, for 15 days, within every of the 3 partial blocks. Preference values of range plants were recorded by Feeding Minutes Method, two times during the 15 days. Data related to every grazing period as well as whole grazing season were analyzed by using a randomized complete block design and a split plot (in time) design respectively. The results show preference values for every species in every grazing period to be significantly differen (P<0.01). During the whole grazing seasons (2000-2001) preference values differences for every species were observed to be significant (P<0.01). In a very dry year (2000) Stipa barbata, Salsola rigida and Artemisia sieberi exhibited the most preference value respectively. During 2001, with more precipitation the annual plants, Salsola rigida, Stipa barhata and Artemisia sieberi were of the most preference value respectively. Yazdi goat spent 90% of grazing time on indicator species (Salsola rigida, Artemisia sieberi, and Stipa barbata) and on three accompanying species (Noaea mucronata, Scariola orientalis and Launaea acanthodes) as well as on total annual plants. According to these results, this animal is not a pure browser.