Assessment of Pasture Nutritional Value and Yield on Gito Plateau (Çamlıhemşin, Türkiye)

Authors : Muhammed İkbal Çatal

Pages : 234-239

Doi:10.47115/bsagriculture.1616876

View : 53 | Download : 27

Publication Date : 2025-03-15

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study investigated the nutritional value and yield of Gito Plateau pasture, located in the Çamlıhemşin district of Rize province, Türkiye, during the summers of 2023 and 2024. Plant samples from 12 different locations were collected and analyzed to determine their nutrient composition. The average dry matter yield was 114.12 kg/da. Crude protein content averaged 10.46%, with minimal inter-annual variation. Fiber analysis revealed average acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values of 37.44% and 69.10%, respectively, indicating moderate digestibility. Calculated feed quality parameters included digestible dry matter (DDM) of 59.73% and relative feed value (RFV) of 80.42. Mineral analysis showed average concentrations of phosphorus (0.24%), potassium (1.53%), calcium (1.13%), and magnesium (0.30%), with Ca/P and K/(Ca+Mg) ratios averaging 4.81 and 1.07, respectively. The relatively consistent nutrient composition across the two years suggests a stable forage resource. These findings provide baseline data on Gito Plateau\\\'s pasture nutritional value, informing sustainable grazing management practices and optimizing livestock production in the Eastern Black Sea Region of Türkiye. Further research is recommended to assess seasonal variations and the impact of grazing management on pasture quality.
Keywords : Gito Plateau, Rize, Forage quality, Nutrient composition

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