Nutritive Value of Atriplex halimus and Tamarix africana in Southeastern Biskra (Algeria) and Their Importance for Ruminant Nutrition

In southern Biskra (Algeria), the El Haouch area is a pastoral and fodder-producing region. Our objective was to evaluate and compare the nutritive value of the shrub Atriplex halimus and the tree Tamarix africana, and to determine the soil characteristics in the study area. Soil samples were collected near the plants along the sampling surface. Dry matter (DM), Crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADL), acid detergent lignin (ADL), macro and trace elements (Ca, P, Mg, Na, K, Cu, Zn, Mn, and Fe) contents were measured. The soil type is silt-clay, and its pH was slightly alkaline (7.5-8.5). Morphological effect was significant (p