This study aimed to provide preliminary information regarding the nutritional quality of Calobota sericea, a preferred perennial legume forage species from the water-limited rangelands of South Africa. Calobota sericea plant samples were collected from the Namaqualand rangelands in the wet and dry season and analysed for secondary compounds, fibre, protein and mineral nutrient content. The results from the fibre analyses were used to determine the digestibility and energy content of fodders. Preliminary results indicate that C. sericea fodders are of better nutritional quality in the wet season and that protein content, digestibility and energy content is sufficient for maintenance of lambs and dry ewes. The energy content, however, was not sufficient for maintenance of pregnant and lactating ewes. Furthermore, certain mineral nutrients (Na, P and K) were not found in sufficient concentrations in this species, and it was thus suggested that further investigation is needed into whether fertilisation could potentially improve the protein, digestibility and mineral nutrient content of C. sericea fodders.

本研究旨在提供有关Calobota sericea营养品质的初步信息，这是一种来自南非缺水牧场的首选多年生豆科牧草品种。Calobota sericea植物样本是在湿季和旱季从 Namaqualand 牧场采集的，并分析了次生化合物、纤维、蛋白质和矿物质营养成分的含量。纤维分析的结果用于确定饲料的消化率和能量含量。初步结果表明C. sericea饲料在雨季营养质量较好，蛋白质含量、消化率和能量含量足以维持羔羊和干母羊的生长。然而，能量含量不足以维持怀孕和哺乳期的母羊。此外，在该物种中发现的某些矿质营养素（Na、P 和 K）的浓度不足，因此建议需要进一步研究施肥是否有可能提高C. sericea的蛋白质、消化率和矿质营养素含量饲料。