Comparing the Palatability of Some Plant Species for Sheep Grazing (Case Study: Rangelands of Deh- Shiekh in Kohkiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province)

Awareness of rangelands plants palatability is required for estimating available forage to animals in all plant communities. In this research recording method was used to determine species palatability in rangelands of Deh- Shiekh in Kohkiloyeh and Boyer Ahmad Province. Three perennial species including Gundelia tournefortii, Bromus tomentellus, Hordeum bulbosum and two annual species of Agelups triancialis and Treniatherum crinitum were selected. Livestock grazing from different plants was recorded and the time was measured. After one hour, normal grazing was performed and the duration of livestock grazing on each species was determined.  Based on the duration of  grazing on each species, palatability percentage of each species was estimated. Results showed that the studied species had similar palatability for sheep at different time of the day. Among the species, during vegetative and flowering stages, Hordeum bulbosum showed the highest palatability with an amount of 24.01 and 29.70 percent respectively. Bromus tomentellus showed the highest palatability in seed maturity period (22.44%). Thus, it is possible to control the grazing system to graze each plant type at one stage of growth with the highest palatability. Using this kind of grazing system increases livestock performance, decreases soil compaction and helps to conserve rangeland plants.