Journal article
Halophytes as forages in saline landscapes: Interactions between plant genotype and environment change their feeding value to ruminants
Environmental and Experimental Botany, Vol.92, pp.96-109
2013
Abstract
Although the growth of halophytic forages is widely recognised as a means for using saline land and water, factors affecting the utilisation of this biomass by ruminants such as sheep, cattle and goats have received less attention. This review focuses on three factors that affect livestock production using halophytes – biomass production, nutritive value (NV) of the biomass and voluntary feed intake (VFI). Biomass production depends on plant species, genotype, the degree of abiotic stress (salinity, aridity, waterlogging), agronomic management and the interaction between genotypes and the abiotic environment. Production in irrigated systems is about 10-times that of dryland systems. NV relates to the efficiency of nutrient use by animals and is influenced by plant species, genotype and genotype × environment interactions. Halophytes typically contain lower metabolisable energy than traditional forages and most do not have enough energy for liveweight maintenance. Chenopods generally have high crude protein, sulphur and minerals, which are critical to ruminant production, however oxalate, mineral toxicities and induced deficiencies can have adverse effects on animals. Antioxidants that halophytes synthesise to detoxify reactive oxygen species may provide precursors of vitamins A and E, helping to alleviate deficiency and improve meat quality. VFI refers to the amount of feed that can be ingested by grazing animals. It is regulated by complex feedback between the stomach and central nervous system. VFI may be restricted by high concentrations of indigestible fibre, salt, and minerals and toxins, such as oxalate and nitrate. The productivity of saline agricultural systems may be improved by increasing halophyte feeding value. Increasing metabolisable energy is the most important factor. Measurement of relative palatability by grazing animals may assist in identifying genotypes with higher NV.
Details
- Title
- Halophytes as forages in saline landscapes: Interactions between plant genotype and environment change their feeding value to ruminants
- Authors/Creators
- H.C. Norman (Author/Creator) - The University of Western AustraliaD.G. Masters (Author/Creator) - Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research OrganisationE.G. Barrett-Lennard (Author/Creator) - The University of Western Australia
- Publication Details
- Environmental and Experimental Botany, Vol.92, pp.96-109
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Identifiers
- 991005543266607891
- Copyright
- © 2012 Published by Elsevier B.V.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
49 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.4 Crop Science
- 3.4.49 Plant Stress Responses
- Web Of Science research areas
- Environmental Sciences
- Plant Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science