Sustainable, Proficient Fodder Influenced By Bio Diversity in Mineral Composition of Shrub Leaves of Quetta District

The vegetation of Balochistan is of critical value to the quality of life for the local nomadic people. Many important dominant species used for animal grazing were selected to evaluate their value as fodder during 2016-2017. These plants including Amylgdalus brahuica Boiss, Prunus eburnea Aitch, Caragana ambigua Stocks, Sophora mollis Royle, Perovskia abrotanoides Karel, and Berberis baluchistanica Ahrendt, (as because Sophora mollis were not found in Zarghoon] were collected seasonally from Hazarganji, Karkhasa and Zarghoon area of Quetta district. These were analyzed for macro and micro elemental composition such as P, Ca, Na, K, S, Fe, Zn, Sr, Al and Mn by using atomic absorption, flame photometer and X-ray florescence spectrophotometer. The elemental concentrations were compared with standard feed table of Pakistan Agriculture Research Council. P. eburnea and B. baluchistanica showed good amount of nutrients in their foliage, these two plants were palatable and preferred by the small ruminants, while A. brahuica and C. ambigua showed medium amounts of minerals and fulfill the requirements of the animal as fodder. The animals did not prefer to eat P. abrotanoides may due to its strong smell while S. mollishad deposition of cutin and suberin on their leaves. It was observed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05] in the concentration of different elements of the forage due to seasonal changes.