Seasonal Variation in the Chemical Composition and Mineral Content of Some Pasture Grasses in Southern Kordofan State

The objective of this study was to assess the effect of season on the chemical composition of some pasture grasses that in included Brichiria obtusiflora "Umchir" Echinochloa colonum "Defra" Rottbellia exlatata "Umbaillie" and Datyloctium aegyptium "Urassahi". These grasses usually contain, the major feed sources to livestock in Sudan under nomadic system. The representative sample were collected in April (dry summer) and September (rainy season), 2008. They were collected from Southern Kordofan State and analyzed. The dry matter was 96% in both samples. In April 2008 sample, the crude protein varied from 6.46% to 14.87%, crude fiber from 39.34% to 48.6%, ether extract from 1.5% to 1.94. In September the range of crude protein was 7.03% to 18.87% crude fiber 26.32% to 37.76%. The macro-element determination indicated that magnesium ranged from 0.395% to 1.395% while calcium ranged from 0.395% to 1.395% and phosphorus ranged between 0.0295% to 0.192% in April samples, compared to 0.395% to 1.395% magnesium 0.795% to 1.92% calcium and 0.0280% for phosphorus in September sample. It was clear from the study that the % of crude protein of grasses were higher in September collection than April one in Southern Kordofan State. The result indicated that of September samples were significantly higher in C.P. P<005 low C.F. for all grasses studied. The mineral content of the studied grasses also revealed that significantly contain P< 005 high Ca, P and Mg were low