Biomass production and forage quality of three halophytes genus Sarcocornia and Salicornia characterizing the saline marginal lands of southern Tunisia

Zaineb Hayder; Abderrazak Tlili; Mohamed Tarhouni

doi:10.56027/JOASD.122023

Authors

Zaineb Hayder Institut des Régions Arides de Médenine
Abderrazak Tlili Arid regions Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5690-703X
Mohamed Tarhouni Institut des Régions Arides de Médenine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5610-9393

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56027/JOASD.122023

Keywords:

biomass, digestibility, drylands, fodder, halophytes

Abstract

Halophytes are widespread in the Tunisian marginal saline soils but not widely exploited. This study aims to evaluate the forage quality and chemical composition of three halophytes, native from southern Tunisia Salicornia emerici Duval-Jouve, Sarcocornia alpini (Lag.) Castrov. et Sarcocornia fruticosa (L.), compared to the cultivated forage legume Medicago sativa. Dry (DM) and organic (OM) matters, ash (MM), ions and crude protein (CP) contents, anti-nutritional compounds and in vitro digestibility were determined. Results indicate that dry matter of these halophytes ranged from 10.50 to 18.63% for S. emerici and S. fruticosa, respectively. Compared to S. emerici, both halophytes recorded the highest percentages of organic matter and crude protein and higher contents of Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, and Fe²⁺. These three halophytes, harvested during the summer period, showed important digestibility percentages (> 70 % MS), exceeding those of M. sativa, and low levels of Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), Acid Detergent Lignin (ADL), and anti-nutritive compounds. These findings suggest that the valorization of these native halophytes as fodder is promising, in particular S. alpini and S. fruticosa. This can provide many economic and environmental advantages in marginal drylands.

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