Determination of nutritive substances of forage and deficiencies diagnosis assist managers to improve nutrition of ruminants in rangelands.. Nutrition experts believe that deficiency of protein of grains and low energy of woody substances and imbalance of mineral elements of range forage are among the most limiting factor range animal nutrition. Magnesium, calcium, sodium, potassium and phosphorus content of dominant and halophyte shrubs of Salsola arbuscula, Salsola richteri, Halothamnus glauca, Seidlitzia rosmarinus species at three phenological stages: vegetative, full flowering and seed dissemination in desert rangeland of Sabzevar was investigated. Samples were taken to laboratory and mineral elements of them were measured. Comparison of mineral elements with the requirement of ruminant showed that the P was lower than its requirement in all three phenological stages. The highest contents of calcium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and ash and the least value of potassium belonged to Seidlitzia rosmarinus.

Desert and marginal lands of playas which are covered with halophyte shrubs, play a great role in supply of forage for livestock as winter rangelands. In this research, plant samples were collected from four palatable halophyte species for Zandi sheep of Qom desert rangelands including Seidlitzia rosmarinus، Halocnemum strobilaceum، Alhagi camelorum and Tamarix passerinoides in two phenological stages (vegetative growth and seed ripening). The plant samples were dried and analyzed by AOAC methods for qualitative indices such as: crude protein (CP %), acid detergent fiber (ADF %), dry matter digestibility (DMD %) and metabolizable energy (ME). The results showed significant differences (p<0.01) between different species and phenological stages. Halocnemum strobilaceum had the highest CP% in vegetative stage while Tamarix sp. had the lowest one in seed ripening stage. The highest and the lowest DMD% and ME (mj) were related to Seidlitzia sp. and Tamarix sp., respectively. Also, according to Duncan’s test, interaction effects of plant species and growth stages were significant by quality indices (p<0.01). In most of species, the amount of CP% decreased with progressing phenological stages while ADF%, increased. Meanwhile, autumn and winter in the first type (Ha.st- Se.ro) and late winter and spring in the second type (Al.ca- Se.ro), were determined as the most suitable period for animal grazing.

To recognize the phenologic stages of 7 native halophyte range plants species at Golestan province, lncheh-Broon station were selected as study area. This station is a representative of saline and alkaline regions. with respect to soil salinity and high salt concentration, raising the saline underground water in this area, most of the salt tolerance species grow in such environment and complete their life cycle. phenology of important halophyte species including: Puccinellia distans, Aeluropus littoralis, Aeluropus lagopoides, Frankenia hirsuta, Salsola turcomanica, Halocnemum strobilaceum & Halostachys caspica were studied since 1996-2000 during 4 years. Their phonologic stages including the initial growth, vegetative growth, flowering, seed rippening and dropping throphout the year. Results show that at the end of Winter, there were begun initial growth of most species. The flowering stages of perennial grasses occurred late of May- June and their seed rippening occurred in Jun-July whereas for the perennial species from chenopodiaceae family, the flowering stage occured at the end of August to September and seed rippening stage occurred in November and December.

Vegetation cover of arid and desert areas is mainly formed from halophyte plant species. These species are important in terms of feed resources for domestic animals such as sheep, goat and camel in desert areas and also for soil conservation. Because of there is not available information about nutritive value of these annual species, an experiment was conducted to determine the nutritive value of five annual halophyte species including Gamantus gamacarpus, Petrosimonia gluaca, Salsola crassa. Halotis occulta and Halocaris sulphaiea. Chemical composition: digestibility (by in-vivo method, pepsin- serolas), preference value (by cafeteria fashion) and voluntary intake were measured by using some Baluchi male sheep. Dry matter digestibility, digestibility of organic matter and digestibility of organic matter in dry matter were statistically different among treatments (p<0.05) and H.su, H. oc and p. gl showed higher digestibility relative to the other species. The amount of crude protein, fat and crude fiber of species was between 6 to 11.6, 4.2 to 6.8 and 8.5 to 20.4 percent, respectively. The voluntary intake of animals were different, so that the highest daily consulJ1ptiqr) of animal was 362 gram from H.su and the lowest was 215 gram from H.oc. The preference value of H.oc with 18.09 percent was significantly (p<0.05) lower than the other species.

The present study was aimed to elucidate the effects of nitrogen and phosphorous fertilizers on A. Canescens as a forge halophyte plant. The treatments; three rates of nitrogen fertilizer (0, 25 and 50 kg N ha in the form of ammonium nitrate) and phosphorous fertilizer (0, 25 and 50 kg ha-1 in the form of triple superphosphate), arranged in a split plot design with three repelication. Each experimental unit consisted a pot with 1 m height and 45 cm diameter. Plants were irrigated with irrigation water salinity of 14 dS m-1 using bubler irrigation system. The results showed the negative effect of age on forage production. At first year, 19. 2 ton ha-1 of shoot fresh weight was produced but it was decreased to 14. 8 and 11. 49 ton ha-1 at second and third years, respectively. In addition, the results showed the positive effect of nitrogen fertilizer on forage production. Application of nitrogen at a rate of 25 and 50 kg ha-1 increased shoot fresh weight from 7. 91 to 15. 13 (91%) and 21. 85 (176%) ton ha-1. While the same trend was found for total dry weight, leaf and stem dry weight, nitrogen application had not significant effect on leaf to stem ratio. It should be noted that phosphorous application had not significant effect on A. Canescens performance. Overall, application of nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 50 kg ha-1 is recommended for improving A. Canescens performance irrigated with saline waters with electrical conductivity of 14 dS m-1.

Nowadays, environmental pollution by heavy metals is one of the most serious threats of the world which needs effective remediation actions. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential use of Atriplex [Atriplex verucifera], Salicornia [Salicornia europaea] and Chenopodium Album in simultaneous uptake and accumulation of Na and Cd or Pb in two calcareous soils with different properties. Two soils, including a salinesodic- calcareous (S1) and a calcareous (S2) soil, were selected. Different concentrations of Pb (0, 250, 500 and 1000 mg Pb kg-1 soil) and Cd (0, 10, 30 and 100 mg Cd kg-1) were then added to the soils. The contaminated soils were incubated under a wetting-drying moisture regime for nearly seven months. The plants seeds were grown in pots containing different treatments of polluted soils and in control treatment (no Cd and Pb contaminations). The plant yields and concentrations of Pb, Cd and Na in the soil and plant samples were measured. Results showed that relative yield of Salicornia was more in soil S1, whereas those of Atriplex and Chenopodium Album were more in soil S2. In saline- sodic soil, the values of Na bioconcentration factor (BCENa) in control treatment were 67, 202 and 57 for Atriplex, Salicornia and chenopodium album respectively. The high value of BCENa in Salicornia revealed the ability of this plant in absorption and accumulation of Na from soil. A considerable accumulation of soil Cd by Salicornia and Pb accumulation by Atriplex and Salicornia was observed under unsuitable conditions of the saline-sodic soil, whereas, Atriplex and Chenopodium had high capability for Cd in the soil S2. These results revealed that these plants could be used for remediation of Pb and Cd contaminated soils. In this study, Salicornia with lower rate of yield reduction had the highest tolerance to Cd-stress and it seems that one can use this plant for phytiremediation of Cd and Pb from saline- sodic soil even in high concentrations of Cd and Pb.

This study carried out to determine of chemical compositions and nutritive value of five species of range plants in Sistan including Oshnan (Seidlitzia rosmarinus), Rendouk (Salsola yazdiana Assadi), Siyah Shor (Suaeda fruticosa), Shoran (Salsola vermiculata) and Anabasis (Anabasis setifera) by in vitro and in situ techniques. Samples were collected by systematic and random sampling procedure in autumn according to standard methods. The samples were dried in shade and after milling, chemical compositions including dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), ash (ASH), crude protein (CP), crude fat (EE), cell wall (NDF) and cell wall- hemicellulose free (ADF), dry matter degradability (in situ), cumulative gas production at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 96 h, the organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolisable energy (ME) were determined. The results of this experiment showed that, there were significant differece in terms of chemical compositions of these samples (p<0.05). Crude protein, ADF and NDF contents were between 6.05 and 11.95%, 28.02 and 36.54% and 41.14 and 48.94% respectively. There was significant difference (p<0.01) between dry matter degradability, degradability parameters and effective degradability in different incubation times. The maximum potential degradability and effective degradability (k=0.02) was in Oshnan species. Also, the maximum cumulative gas volume at 96 hours was related to Rendouk. But, the gas production parameters (b, OMD, ME) in Oshnan species was higher than other species. The results showed that in these plants, Oshnan species has the highest nutritive value and also, there was a high positive correlation between in situ and in vitro experiments in these species and can use the gas production technique for assessing of nutritive value of these species.

Background & Objective: Quinoa as halophyte plant has received more attention in recent years due to its nutritional value and high production potential in harsh environmental conditions. In this research was designed and implemented with the aim of investigating the effects of inoculation of some rhizosphere bacteria of halophyte plants on the growth of quinoa plant under salt stress. Materials & Methods: The greenhouse test was carried out as factorial in the form of complete random design in three replications. First, quinoa seeds with selected bacteria (B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6) were inoculated and then four salinity levels of 0, 7. 5, 15 and 25 (dS/m) were applied in the pots. Finally some growth and nutritional related parameters were measured. Results: Growth indices (except chlorophyll index) and ionic composition (except sodium) of quinoa plant decreased with increasing salinity levels. The use of bacteria led to a significant increase in chlorophyll (up to 10. 5%), height (up to 15. 43%), root fresh weight (up to 20. 27%), and fresh and dry weight of shoot (up to 10. 27 and 11. 36 %, respectively), biological yield (up to 10. 41 %), total dry weight (up to 12 %), grain yield (up to 11. 07 %) and sodium, potassium, phosphorus of shoot was up to 36. 31, 22. 11, and 10. 52 % respectively compared to the control treatment. Conclusion: In this experiment, PGPB led to a significant improvement in the tolerance of quinoa to salinity stress, and among them B3 was higher in improving the growth and yield indices of quinoa.

Background and Objectives: Increasing world population, along with climate change and environmental stresses, has posed a serious challenge to adequate food supply. Salinity is one of the most important stresses affecting the reduction of agricultural products. In recent years, the use of new strategies for sustainable production of food products under salinity stress has been considered, including plant growth promoting rhizosphere bacteria. Due to the strategic importance of wheat in food security, this study was designed and conducted with the aim of increasing the salinity resistance of wheat (Var. Narin) using plant growth promoting rhizosphere bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere of several halophyte plants in Yazd province. Materials and Methods: Plant growth promoting traits such as ability to produce auxin, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide, and phosphate solubility and salinity resistance of isolated bacteria from rhizosphere of halophyte plants (Atriplex lentiformis, Seidlitzea rosmarinus, Halostachys belangeriana and tamarix ramossima) in their habitats in Chahafzal in Yazd Province were investigated. Then, wheat seeds were inoculated with the best three bacteria in terms of plant growth-promoting traits and salinity resistance, and then were irrigated with water of salinities of 4, 8 and 16 ds/m. After the growth period, the ion content of sodium, potassium, calcium and phosphorus in the leaves as well as some vegetative growth indices including stem length, stem and root dry weight and total biomass were measured. Results: The studied bacteria including Bacillus safensis, B. pumilus and Zhihengliuella halotolerans had the ability to produce auxin, siderophore, hydrogen cyanide, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid deaminase (ACC deaminase) and phosphate solubility. The highest amount of auxin production was measured in B. safensis (29. 72 μ g/ml) and the highest amount of hydrogen cyanide production and phosphate solubility was in Z. halotolerans. The highest amount of ACC deaminase was measured in B. pumilus (8 μ mol of α-ketobutyrate h-1 mg-1 protein). The results of wheat leaf analysis showed that at salinity stress levels, sodium content increased and other measured items decreased compared to the control. The use of bacteria reduced the sodium content by 142 percentage and increased the content of potassium, calcium and phosphorus in wheat leaf under salinity stress by 70, 92 and 295 percentage, respectively, compared to the control. Also, stem length, stem dry weight, root dry weight and total biomass in treatments under salinity stress and inoculated with bacterial isolates increased to 44, 56, 117 and 61 percentage, respectively, compared to the control. Conclusion: Plant growth promoting rhizosphere bacteria in this experiment significantly improved the resistance of wheat to salinity stress. B. safensis, more than the other two bacterial isolates, improved the growth indices of wheat var. Narin under salinity stress. These results also show that the rhizosphere of halophytic rangeland plants can be a good source for the isolation of salinity-resistant bacteria to improve the resistance of wheat plants to salinity.

Introduction: Halophytic plants constitute a significant part of the local flora in arid and semiarid regions. Native sheep, goats and camels graze these forages. The Suaeda fruticosa, Seidlitzia rosmarinus and Atriplex leucoclada that are belonging to the chenopodiaceae family, have considerable forage potential in the arid and semiarid rangelands. Overall, these plants are tolerant to drought, and used to reclaim degraded rangeland. In addition, they reduce ground water salinity and improve condition and structure of soil. Meanwhile, there are some secondary metabolites in halophytic plants like condense tannin that effect on consume and performance of the animals. Characteristic of a pasture, climatic conditions the pasture, range management, time of grazing in the pasture, animal characteristics and method of study are factors that all or some can influence yield, chemical compositions and rumen degradability of Halophytic plants. There are a few reports about the nutrition value of Atriplex spp., Seidlitzia spp. and suaeda spp. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate of chemical composition and nutrients degradability of these halophyte plants for dromedary camels. Material and Methods: This study was conducted in Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources University of Khuzestan. Two female camels (about four years old) with rumen fistula were used in present experiment. The plants sampling were conducted from three regions of Jofer, Howayzeh and road of AbadanKhorramshahr on the Khuzestan province in southwest of Iran, an area of approximately 60 Km in diameter. All ranges in term of topography have plain shape, without stone and deep canyons, and with high levels of underground water. The soil of these ranges has salinity characteristic and clay constitution. The study regions climate typified that of south Khuzestan. Annual mean temperature is 24. 9° C with average minimum and maximum temperatures ranging from 2. 6° C in January to 42° C in August. Precipitation averaged 224 mm per day. The study area had a fair diversity of vegetation types. Four types of these plants named Atriplex leucoclada (AL), Suaeda fruticosa (SF), Seidlitzia rosmarinus (SR) were evaluated individually or in different mixture in completely randomized design. Treatments were, T1, 33. 5% AL + 66. 5% SR; T2, 100% AL; T3, 66. 5% AL + 33. 5% SF; T4, 66. 5% AL + 33. 5% SR; T5, 100% SR; T6, 33. 5% AL + 66. 5% SF; T7, 66. 5% SR + 33. 5% SF; T8, 66. 5% SF + 33. 5% SR; T9, 100% SF. Dry matter (DM), crude protein CP, ether extract (EE), ash, NDF, ADF, lignin, hemicellulose, cellulose, non-fibrous carbohydrates (NFC), neutral detergent soluble fiber (NDSF), total 80% ethanol-soluble carbohydrate (TESC), organic acids, starch and in situ degradability of DM, OM, NDF, CP of each plants were measured. Results and Discussion: Atriplex leucoclada had the highest hemicellulose, NDF and organic matter among three halophyte plants. The highest concentrations of tannin and oxalate and organic acids were related to Seidlitzia rosmarinus. The SR and AL had respectively highest and lowest dry matter (DM) degradability and effective degradability (ED) (P<0. 05). There was not any difference between Seidlitzia rosmarinus and mixture of Seidlitzia rosmarinus + Suaeda fruticose (Treat 7 and 8). Briefly, according to the results of this section, replacement the high levels of Seidlitzia rosmarinus instead of Suaeda fruticose, increase the dry matter degradability more effectiveness than low levels of that. Organic matter degradability of the SR and SF was significantly higher than the AL (P<0. 05). The T7 and T2 treatments had the highest and lowest NDF degradability among others, respectively (P<0. 05). Crude protein degradability was highest in the treat containing 66. 5% SR+33. 5% AL (T1), and AL treat had lowest in situ CP degradability percentage. The results were shown that CP degradation rate was faster than DM, OM and NDF in the initial incubation times. Conclusion: It was concluded that according to DM, OM and NDF degradability, the best plant mix for better feeding of grazing camels are treatments T5, T7 and T8 (without AL); but as protein degradability and chemical composition data, the treatments containing AL (T1, T3, T4 andT6, excepted T2) were the best mix. Therefore, it seems that one of the strategies for improving the digestibility of halophyte plants in camels is mixing these plants with each other, which according to the results of the present experiment, a combination of AL with SR or SF may be caused to more ruminal degradability in feeding of grazing camel and rehabilitation of rangelands.