Feeding value evaluation of Xinjiang five chenopod halophytes

This study aimed to determine the suitable harvest time and evaluate the feeding value of five cultivated chenopod annual halophytic forage grasses (Chenopodium rubrum, Atriplex aucheri, Suaeda salsa, Salicornia europaea, and Suaeda altissima) that sampled from Xinjiang saline-alkali soil. Plants samples were analysed for nutritional component contents during three different growth periods: nutrient absorption, blooming, and fruiting periods. The results showed that the nutritive value of the five halophytic plants were highest in the blooming period. Furthermore, their above-ground biomass in dry matter was adequate and supported significant livestock production and, therefore, we determined that the suitable time to use the halophytic grass as fine forage feed was in the blooming period. Compared with alfalfa in the blooming period, the feeding value of C. rubrum was the highest, followed by A. aucheri, S. salsa, and S. altissima in that order while S. europaea had the lowest value. Considering the secondary metabolic compounds with positive or negative effects on the fodder feeding value, C. rubrum, A. aucheri, and S. altissima were rich in betaines, at approximately 7%. The oxalate content of S. europaea, C. rubrum, and A. aucheri exceeded the safe concentration. In summary, all the five halophytes showed the potential to be the sources of livestock fodders, but their use as the sole feed for extended periods should be avoided.