Economic and biological value of medicinal and fodder herbs for feed production

Abstract

The relevance of the research lies in the need to involve in the feed production of grass species containing biologically active substances for use as natural animal growth stimulants. The purpose of the study was to experimentally establish the economic and biological value of medicinal and fodder grass species, their technological suitability for growing in clean crops, obtaining raw materials and forming phyto-mixtures from them for use as organic feed additives. In the course of conducting research, the following methods were used: field, laboratory, analytical, and statistical. The economic and biological value for the growth of the following types of medicinal herbs in the feed production was determined: hyssop, fennel, white horehound, Moldavian dragonhead, coriander, yarrow, purple coneflower, dandelion, milk thistle, anise hyssop, St. John’s wort, sneezeweed, sweet wormwood. It was established that annuals in the year of sowing, and perennial species in the second or fourth years of use provided a dry mass of grasses – 1.7-5.0 t/ha and seeds – 0.3-1.8 t/ha. These types of herbs contain biologically active substances (polysaccharides, essential oils, flavonoids, organic acids, mainly vitamins, and trace elements) that have a positive effect on the animal body. The technological suitability for harvesting raw materials and forming phyto-mixtures of the following species is also proved: milk thistle, Moldavian dragonhead, coriander, hyssop, fennel, purple coneflower, anise hyssop, white horehound, and yarrow. As a result of the research, a database was created on the selection of medicinal herbs, their technological suitability for cultivation, and optimal harvesting times for harvesting raw materials with subsequent use in feed production. The inclusion of medicinal and feed species in feeding rations can ensure the production of organic livestock products that meet the requirements of the European Green Deal strategy