Determination of quality characteristics of some Astragalus taxa growing in meadow-pastures and natural vegetations in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey

The aim of this study is to determine quality characters of some Astragalus taxa collected in natural lands of Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey. Results were ranged from lowest to highest for crude protein (CP) 15.13-28.40%; dry matter 88.92-91.04%; acid detergent fiber (ADF) 12.53-34.05%; acid detergent protein (ADP) 0.64-1.40%; neutral detergent fiber (NDF) 24.25-52.57%; digestible dry matter (DDM) 62.37-79.13%; dry matter ıntake (DMI) 2.28-4.94%; relative feed values (RFV) varies between 120.75-303.02. Quality values​of HP, NYD, KMT and SKM in terms of A. suberosus Banks & Sol. subsp. suberosus, ADP, NDF and KMT, A. gummifer Lab., A. aintabicus Boiss. they gave the highest values. In terms of the mineral materials, phosphorus (P) 0.25-0.45%; potassium (K) 0.57-2.23%; calcium (Ca) 0.96-2.14% and magnesium (Mg) 0.30-0.53%; K / (Ca + Mg) 0.27-1.28 and Ca / P values were determined in the range of 2.11-7.24. In terms of Mg and Ca, A. latifolius Lam., P and K / (Ca + Mg), A. amblolepis Fischer, K, A. galegiformis L., Ca / P, A. hamosus L. gave the highest value. When the Astragalus taxa are examined in terms of quality standards, A. angustiflorus C. Koch subsp. amanus (Boiss.) Cham. (End.), A. christianus L., A. hamosus L., A. latifolius Lam., A. pseudoutriger Grossh., A. suberosus Banks & Sol. subsp. suberosus and A. triradiatus Bunge was in the prime group, which is the highest value in terms of all investigated properties.