Perennial pastoral fodder plants from the high mountains of the northern region of Morocco

Abstract

Forest pastures represent the basis of livestock feed in the high mountains of the north region of Morocco. Unfortunately, the forage supply of pastoral species is subject to a continuous decrease, which exposes the livestock to under nutrition. In order to manage this situation and to improve the herd nutrition, knowledge of the energy and protein content and the digestibility of consumed plant species is essential. The analyses of 22 main pastoral forage species showed that the energy and protein values of these species are moderately low for UF (0.28 to 0.52 UFV/kg DM) and very low for PDI (16 to 52 g/kg/MS). The most abundant species consumed by goats, namely Quercus ilex, Quercus canariensis, Quercus suber and Pistacia lentiscus, present low energy (0.33 UF/kg DM) and low protein forage (28 g PDI/kg DM) foods. In general, these species are characterized by a satisfactory digestibility. This varies from 53% to 90% for the organic matter digestibility (DMO %). Some species have a lower DMO (52% to 66%). This is the case of Ceratonia siliqua, Cytisus scoparius, Olea europaea, Quercus Suber, Quercus ilex, Arbutus unedo, Rubus ulmifolius, Tetraclinis articulata. Similarly, a low protein digestibility is noted in Phillyrea media, Arbutus unedo and Pistacia lentiscus (64%, 65% and 66% respectively). On this basis, it appears that the pastures in these areas are also degraded in terms of nutrition.

Keywords

• espèces pastorales
• valeur énergétique
• valeur protéique
• digestibilité
• hautes montagnes nord du maroc