Elemental analysis of five selected grasses of sub family Pooideae from University of Peshawar Campus , KP , Pakistan

Grasses show numerous useful traits as energy crops and have been expanding enthusiasm for their utilization therefore proficient production of energy from such enduring grasses requires the decision of most proper grass species for the natural, climatic and ecological conditions. A comprehensive survey was carried out during 2017-18 from University of Peshawar, Pakistan in blooming and flowering season. Total of five forage species were collected, preserved, identified and examined for its nutritive value as best fodder. A total of 15 nutrients were observed that are essential for all metabolic activities, production of more milk in livestock and major constituents for growth. The macro-micro minerals composition variable from one growth stage to other. All the five species are best source of food supplement for livestock and with respects to elements contents showed that they have a high energy potential as a fodder for livestock. Therefore information on wild grasses regarding their nutritional value and their biological significance must be useful for future use.


Introduction
The area is stretched over an average of 1050 acres of land.Altitude of the proposed area is 365 m above the sea level.It is surrounded by Khyber Teaching Hospital in the south region, Professor Colony in the northern region, BISE Peshawar on the west region and PCSIR on the eastern region.Research area (University of Peshawar campus) having 33° 44/ to 34°15/ North latitude and 71° 22/ to 71° 42/ East longitudes covered about 1257 km 2 of the total area with regards to an altitude of 1173 feet above the sea level [1].The Pooideae is the sub leading family of Poaceae having approximately 4000 taxon and about more than 200 genera.Economically grasses are very important as that contain major crops i.e.Zea maize, Pennesetum typhoides, Triticum aestivum, Oryza sativa, Saccharum officinarum, Sorghum bicolor, Cymbopogon citratus, Avena sativa, Hordeum vulgare and some ornamental grasses.Poaceae is the 4 th extent spermatophyte family having 11000 species and 800 genera through worldwide and in Pakistan a total of 158 genera and 492 species distributed in different regions (Table 1).Grasses mostly grow in temperate conditions as pastures have been confined and refer as cool season plants [2].The cool and temperate zone grasses are mostly herbaceous [3].In the mountainous regions the native forage has the ability of browsing, grazing and nourishment of animals in rangelands, deserts, grassland and in plains [4].Elemental composition of native grasses provides baseline information in assigning their nutritive value for livestock [5].A large number of livestock's outcome in over-grazing and over-browsing of natural vegetation and they get fodder, fuel, tubers and other edible parts from forest besides cultivating some seasonal agricultural crops like maize and wheat in small areas [6].In the north areas of Pakistan the fodder species play a crucial role for contributors to browsing and grazing animal nutrition in the highlands.
The following constituents such as crude proteins, moisture contents, crude fibers, ash contents, neutral detergent fiber and minerals, while their average concentration of dry matter and acid detergent fibers both are fewer in quantity as compared to other plants.Warm climate grasses have comparatively more grazing livestock in depend upon forage plants to fulfill their nutrients supplements.In the dry harvesting seasons of crops the farmers traditionally used the fodder plant species for grazing animals.Living organisms on planet mostly depends on cereals like maize, wheat, rice and lemon grass which are considering as major crops used as a need of balanced diet.

Site details
The study was conducted in University of Peshawar campus which are located in district Peshawar with 33° 44/ to 34°15/ North latitude and 71° 22/ to 71° 42/ East longitudes covered about 1257 km 2 of the total area with regards to an altitude of 1173 feet above the sea level.The area is stretched over an average of 1050 acres of land.Altitude of the proposed area is 365 m above the sea level.Mean annual maximum temperature is 30.4 ºC while mean minimum temperature is 14.9 ºC with mean annual precipitation of 405.8 mm and relative humidity is 57.7 % [1].Collection and preservation of grasses samples Field survey was conducted during 2017-18 to explore and collect different herbaceous grasses in blooming and flowering seasons.Five herbaceous grasses which belonged to sub family Pooideae were collected in three growth stages (Table 2, Figure 1-15).For nutritional analysis about 3000 grams of each specimen were collected and kept in oven for an hour, grinded into powder and then kept in polythene bags.

Identification of selected grasses
After proper collection and preservation of grasses, samples were then identified with the help of available literature [2, 12, 13].The samples were pasted in Herbarium sheets and then submitted to PUH (Peshawar University Herbarium) for other researchers as a future record.

Elemental analysis
As per protocol of (Model Perkin Elmer AA Analyst 700) the samples were determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at CRL lab, Department of Physics, University of Peshawar (Table 2, Figure 1-15).

Results and discussion
A comprehensive survey was carried out during 2017-18 in blooming and flowering season in University of Peshawar campus.Total of five herbaceous grasses were collected in three different growth stages which belong to family Poaceae and sub family Pooideae.The results of current study showed that all the observed species has good taste, high minerals and nutritive value and hence proved that grasses has high potential to be utilized as beneficial source for livestock.Different compositions of minerals were detected in all three growth stages.Bromus catharticus has high magnesium contents in all growth stages (0.25 %, 0.22 % and 0.17 %) followed by Hordeum murinum (0.25 %, 0.14 % and 0.09 %) while in Alopecurus myosuroides (0.06 %) magnesium contents is present.Bones and muscle fibers had high magnesium contents in body.Magnesium is mainly responsible for all physiological processes in animals as well as in plants [14].In Bromus catharticus calcium contents are higher in all condition (0.35 %, 0.25 % and 0.34 %) followed by Alopecurus (0.14 % and 0.10 %) which is less than the Bromus catharticus.About 2.51 g/kg calcium content alter the mineral deficiency and low amount causes serious problems in grazing animals.Therefore, minor amount also useful for breast feeding cattle [15].Highest calcium contents varies from 2000 to 2600 mg/100g, magnesium ranges from 300 to 350 mg/100g, potassium ranges from 1780 to 1850 mg/100g while the remaining elements were in few amounts (zinc 1 mg/100g, selenium 1 mg/100g and copper 0.1 mg/100g) were observed and identified 2 cultivars i-e Lombardia and San Pedro.Lombardia cultivar contain larger amount of iron whereas, in San Pedro cultivar calcium, magnesium and sodium contents are in less amounts by Solana et al [16].Alopecurus myosuroides share (0.07 %) aluminum contents in pre reproductive stage followed by Phalaris minor with regards to aluminum contents.Highest sodium level were observed in Phalaris minor in all the three growth stages (0.15%, 0.61% and 0.52%) and absent in Polypogon fugax, Alopecurus myosuroides and Hordeum murinum.Khan et al [4] also give evidence that in all the examined grasses sodium amount increased in all the advance growth stages, therefore in forage herbaceous grasses very low concentrations of these nutrients are required for its utilization [17].Copper were observed and present in very low amount in all the examined taxa in variable stages.Thus copper and zinc that is responsible for incrementation of milk in pregnant animals and essential for hair growth [18].Nitrogen contents share (13.03 %) in Phalaris minor in pre reproductive stage while Hordeum murinum share (4.17 %) in reproductive stage in decreasing order.Iron and zinc were present in trace amount in all herbaceous grasses, thus higher amount of iron required for ruminants present in forage grasses than the normal requirements 30-60 mg [19].Zinc availability and its utilization mainly depend on its composition, structure and their association with other mineral [20].Nutrients that present in low amounts are C, O, Si, P, S, Cl and K in decreasing order from pre reproductive to post reproductive stages.Hence these minerals are required for all metabolic processes and needed for proper growth, function and development [21].About 40 different elements were reported by different workers and give suggestion that these elements are essential for life system and for the survival of organisms [22].Minerals monopolize topmost turned in animal nutrition for its manufacturing, biological availability and for good and proper health [23].Samreen et al [24] also identified 12 nutrients in forage grasses from FR, Darazinda Valley, Pakistan.Khan et al. [25] also documented comparative proximate study of some weedy grasses for potential use as fodder from district Peshawar and represented higher DM contents and low moisture.Thus on the basis of current findings we suggest that all grass species have high potential for their utilization as fodder and forage which provide a baseline to overcome the current shortage of fodder through country as well as globally.