Halophytic shrubs in semi-arid regions of Australia

Abstract

This paper presents an overview of the grazing ecology and utilization of halophytes and haloprytic plant communities in Australia. Halophyte species are dominant over large areas of the arid and semi-arid winter rainfall regions. They support an extensive Merino sheep industry. Most halophyte shrubs are high in protein content and of moderate digestibility. However, food intakes are low when fed as a sole ration, so that their value is limited to providing a green maintenance forage during the dry season when alternative forage is both scarce and of low quality. Livestock performance is improved when the shrubs are fed as mixtures with grasses. This takes advantage of the high protein and avoids the problems of anti-nutritional compounds. In natural communities the chenopod species are low in the preference hierarchy and are only eaten in substantial quantities during periods of low rainfall when other forage species are scarce. They require periodic rests from grazing, either through their natural low dietary preference during the growing season, or through the removal of stock. It is concluded that there is considerable potential for reestablishment of chenopod shrubs in areas that have been overgrazed in the past. A number of species also have potential for planting as drought forage reserves and others are proving valuable for the reclamation of saline land.