EFFECTS OF COLLECTION SITES ON PROXIMATE AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF SOME WILD PLANT SPECIES COLLECTED FROM BALOCHISTAN, PAKISTAN

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare spatial variability in proximate (ash, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, crude fiber, ether extract and total carbohydrate) and mineral (P, K, Na, Fe, Cu and Zn) composition. Samples of four plant species (Pennisetum orientale L.C. Rich., Saccharum griffithii Munro ex Boiss. Pulicaria gnaphaloides (Vent) Boiss and Perovskia abrotanoides Karel) were collected from both protected and unprotected sites of Karkhasa. The results of proximate composition revealed that all selected samples showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in ether extract, crude fiber, crude protein and total carbohydrate concentrations in respect to collection sites. Among selected plant species, Perovskia abrotanoides and Pulicaria gnaphalodes, showed high concentration of Organic matter and ether extract comparatively. Saccharum griffithii and Pennisetum orientale showed a relatively high accumulation of crude fiber, total carbohydrates and dry matter. Mineral composition also highlighted a significant difference (p<0.05) between collection sites. Results further unveiled that Pulicaria gnaphalodes, contain a high concentration of iron, sodium and phosphorus as compared to other selected plant samples. The overall findings emphasized on the selection of right collection and harvesting sites and suggested wild plants as a good source of nutrition for man and livestock.