Productivity and quality of panicum (Panicum turgidum Forssk) grown naturally at the Eastern Province of Saui Arabia

The present study aimed to evaluate the productinty status of panicum turgidum (Thumam) under the environmental conditions of the eastern province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Forty eight experimental sites (each of 25 m2, i.e. 1*25 m) were randomly selected from three locations (Roads of Riyadh, Ogair and Damam), which represent the micro-environment of thumam. Obtained results showed that the dominated plant species associated with thumam were Eragrostis barrelieri, Haloxylon salicornicum, Leptadenia pyrotechnica, Plantago ovata and Zygophyllum coccineum. The forage production of thumam was 57 kg dry matter/ha. However, the nutrient value of it was relatively low due to the low protein content (4.2 %) and high crude fiber (30.2 %). Moreover, neutral detergent fiber was 62.4 %, acid detergent fiber was 65.4 % and lignin was 11.70 % which indicate low nutritional forage value, compared with traditional forage crops, i.e. Rhodesgrass (Chloris gayana) and Alfalfa ( Medicago sativa). Macronutrient contents (Na, K, Ca and Mg) were in the range of sheep and camel requirements, while P was very low as well as micronutrients (Zn, Cu and Mn).