Article
Forage quality and macroelement composition of selected wild Alcea species from southeastern Türkiye
Early view
Abstract
The study was carried out to investigate the possibilities of utilizing some Alcea species as an alternative forage source. Within the scope of the study, Alcea populations were collected from 15 distinct locations in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Türkiye. Crude protein (CP), acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP), acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), digestible dry matter (DDM), dry matter intake (DMI), relative feed value (RFV), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents were determined in dried herbage samples of Alcea species. On average, the samples were classified as prime quality for CP and first-class quality for ADF, NDF, DDM, DMI, and RFV, although notable variation occurred among individual species-locality samples. Specifically, Alcea apterocarpa from Şırnak-1 and Alcea striata from Gaziantep-2 exhibited the most favorable fiber fractions, digestibility, and RFV values. While P, K, and K:(Ca+Mg) ratios remained within desirable ranges, high Ca concentrations resulted in Ca:P ratios exceeding recommended dietary thresholds (>2). Hierarchical cluster analysis categorized the 18 species-locality samples into two distinct clusters. In conclusion, wild Alcea species show potential as an alternative roughage source; nonetheless, comprehensive feeding trials, palatability assessments, and antinutritional profiling are needed before practical dietary recommendations can be made.
Keywords
Alcea sp., quality characteristics, minerals, cluster analysis