Determination of seasonal changes of feed value of common grazeable species in Isparta macquis shrublands

This study was carried out to determine the forage values of common grazeable species in 3 locations (Aşağı Gökdere, Kovada, Akkeçili) in Isparta maquis in 2018-2020 years. In each location, 10 species were identified. Leaf samples were taken from these species in all seasons. In this study, leaf length, leaf width, petiole length, dry matter (DM) ratio, crude protein (CP) ratio, NDF, ADF, ash ratio, total digestible nutrient (TDN), dry matter intake (DMI), digestible dry matter (DDM), relative feed value (RFV) and tannin ratios of each species were determined. According to results of the research, as the seasons progressed, the rates of DM ratio, ADF, NDF and tannin increased, while the rates of CP, TDN, DMI, DDM, RFV decreased. According to the two-year averages in Aşağı Gökdere, C. monogyna in terms of DM rate, Q. infectoria and Q. cerris in terms of CP ratio, S. junceum in terms of NDF and ADF ratios, P. spina-christi in terms of ash ratio, TDN, DMI, DDM and RFV, J. oxycedrus in terms of tannin content had the highest values. Q. coccifera in terms of DM rate, C. emerus in terms of CP ratio, S. junceum in terms of NDF and ADF ratios, C. melanocaly and C. emerus in terms of ash ratios, P. spina-christi in terms of TDN and DDM C. melanocalyx in terms of DMI and RFV, J. oxycedrus and C. melanocalyx in terms of tannin content had the highest values in Kovada. J. oxycedrus in terms of DM rate and tannin content, J. oxycedrus and Quercus coccifera ADF and C. emerus in terms of CP ratio, Q. coccifera in terms of NDF, P. spina-christi in terms of TDN and DDM, C. melanocalyx in terms of DMI and RFV, F. excelsior, F. ornus, P. spina-christi, C. melanocalyx and C. emerus in therms of ash ratio had the highest values in Akkeçili. Consequently, it has been seen that the bush, shrub-shaped tree and shrub species in the maquis have an important potential as high quality feed for ruminant animals in the critical period in semi-arid and arid regions.