Seasonal Changes in the Nutrient Contents of Some Shrub Species

This study was conducted in order to determine the seasonal changes in the nutrient contents of nine different shrub species (Phillyrea latifolia L., Quercus coccifera L., Quercus infectoria Olivier., Paliurus spina–christi MİLLER., Spartium junceum L., Ephedra major HOST., Robinia pseudoacacia L., Anagyris foetida L. and Juniperus oxycedrus L.) found in pastures in Çanakkale. Plant samples were taken from 30 acre areas of natural pasture located in ÇOMÜ TETAM and the territory of university campus during the years 2013–2014. The seasonal levels of crude protein, crude fat, NDF, ADF, ADL and tannin of above mentioned shrubs were identified during this research work. According to the obtained results, the crude protein content of shrubs has been decreased constantly from winter (12.75%) to spring (7.08%).The highest level of crude protein (16.31%) in Robinia pseudoacacia L. as for that the lowest protein (5.34%) has been found in Juniperus oxycedrus L. Overall ratio of crude fat in plants was found higher in winter (7.50%) and autumn (6.50%) while lower in spring (5.62%) and summer (5.41%). Juniperus oxycedrus L. possessed the highest crude fat ratio (7.54%) while the lowest ratio of crude fat (4.46%) has been emerged in Paliurus spina–christi MİLLER. Highest tannin has been detected in Ephedra major HOST. and the lowest in Spartium junceum L. at 2.181and 0.11 percentage levels, respectively. In contrast to the crude protein contents, the cell wall components like NDF, ADF and ADL have been increased depending as of maturity. Highest ratio of NDF, ADF and ADL (53.87%, 44.15%and 16.98%) in Spartium junceum L., the lowest NDF and ADL (35.22%and 8.54%) in Anagyris foetida L. and the lowest ADF (24.20%) has been obtained in Paliurus spina–christi MİLLER. According to these results, high protein feed supplement during the winter, if performed, these shrubs can be said to produce enough forage generally for goats throughout the year.