干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

A research program was carried out to identify and evaluate halophyte plants with high potential for forage production. Sporobolus grass (Sporobolus virginicus) was investigated for its potential as forage under irrigation with water of high salt content (20,000 ppm) in a 0.416 ha field. Yield, chemical composition and feed intake by camel and sheep of Sporobolus grass were compared with that of Rhodes grass which was grown at Al-Oha Agricultural Research Farm, under irrigation with water of low salinity (2,5 00 ppm). Estimated dry matter production of Sporobolus grass reached 39 tons/ha/year, while actual total field harvested was 17.5 tons/ha/year. It was 35% lower than Rhodes grass. However, Rhodes grass was under intensive management input while Sporobolus received minimum input. Chemical compositions of the two grasses were similar except for crude protein content, which was higher in Rhodes grass. Despite the high salinity in irrigation water, ash content in Sporobolus was very close to that of Rhodes grass. Daily consumption of Rhodes grass hay by camels was significantly higher than Sporobolus hay, however, body weight and tail circumference were similar. In the fattening lambs trial, feed intake, body weight gain and water consumption were not significantly different between lambs fed diets containing either Sporobolus or Rhodes grass. In conclusion, Sporobolus grass has a high potential as an alternative forage crop in and saline habitats, where production of traditional forage crops is not feasible. It also can be a valuable component of rehabilitation programs in such areas. Moreover, productivity and nutritional value of Sporobolus grass was comparable with Rhodes grass in which high amounts of low salinity water are required.