Analysis of nutritional components in wild forage plants for musk deer in Ganzi Prefecture

WANG Xinmei; WANG Ying; JIANG Yunhui; LIU Guihua; FENG Yaya; LI Jinrong; XU Song

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2026.02.017

Abstract：This study aimed to enhance the protection and management of musk animals from the perspective of feed nutrition.Eleven species of wild forage plants preferred by musk deer in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture were selected as subjects.Their main nutritional components were determined,and a comprehensive evaluation was conducted using the grey relational grade method.The results showed that the crude protein(CP)content of the plants ranged from 6.21%to 19.54%.Among them,the CP content of Hippophae rhamnoides L.(19.54%)was significantly higher than that of other plants(P<0.05).Pyracantha,Rubus spp.,and Xinjiang Lonicera tatarica L.exhibited relatively high crude fat(EE)content.Viburnum spp.had a relatively high crude fiber(CF)content.Lonicera chrysantha Turcz.showed the highest crude ash(Ash)content(8.89%).The nitrogen-free extract(NFE)content of Cunninghamia lanceolata(Lamb.)Hook(57.91%)was significantly higher than that of other plants(P<0.05).The total phosphorus(TP)content was low across all plants(0.03%to 0.06%).Nutritional type analysis indicated that the plants were primarily of the low-ash,nitrogen-carbon type.The grey relational grade evaluation revealed that only sea-buckthorn achieved a high comprehensive correlation coefficient(equal-weighted correlation=0.844 0),classifying its nutritional value as'excellent'.The study shows that Hippophae rhamnoides L.possesses the most favorable conventional nutritional components and comprehensive nutritional value,making it a high-quality plant resource with development potential.Considering the comprehensiveness of nutrients,none of the 11 plant species studied are suitable as a sole feed source for musk deer.