Mineral content of shrubs from goat’s production systems in two seasons in an arid zone

Abstract Minerals are needed in the diet of animals for maintenance, development, and reproduction. The aim was to determine mineral content of shrubs consumed by goats in an arid area from three production systems, during wet and dry seasons. The leaves, pods, stems, or flowers of 34 shrubs and one supplement were sampled manually and analyzed Ca, Mg, K, Na, P, N, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, and Cl. The shrubs showed enough K Ca, K, Mg, Na, B, Cl and N for goat requirements for all production systems; however, P was lower. The Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn contents were lower in all shrubs. The results suggest that in the study area more non-legumes could be used in the goat diet to enhance nutritional value because of their higher mineral content. Considering the status of mineral content, 58% of all minerals had higher content in the semi-intensive production system, and possibly, it is the best production system. Adequate values of mineral content 58% of all minerals had higher content in the semi-intensive production system, and possibly, it is the best production system. Adequate values of mineral content were found in L. brevipes, T. lobaeformis and A. barclayana in the semi-intensive system, while in the extensive system the mineral content was of good nutritional quality with S. thurberi and C. gayana for the intensive system. The 35 shrubs showed differences among macrominerals and the nutritional quantity/quality of these minerals for goats varied depending on production system, season, and types of shrubs.