<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Reduction in herbage production and plant diversity on rangelands on the coastal part of Croatia, due to invasion of terpene-rich shrubs has been recorded during the recent period. Therefore, there is a strong need to understand ecological relationships between plant and animal components of these shrubby ecosystems. Through four consecutive experiments, we investigated the potential of two well-known medicinal herbs, Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) and Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile), as a feed supplement to increase intake of two terpenoid shrubs, Juniperus oxycedrus and J. phoenicea, by goats. Preliminary research indicated that both yarrow and chamomile had a positive influence on the intake of J. phoenicea by goats, but not on the consumption of J. oxycedrus. Our model could be implemented in the field as an approach to reduce the abundance of J. phoenicea in the environment and to improve the quality of herbage (grasses and forbs) on Mediterranean pastures.</p></abstract>

Reduction in herbage production and plant diversity on rangelands on the coastal part of Croatia, due to invasion of terpene-rich shrubs has been recorded during the recent period. Therefore, there is a strong need to understand ecological relationships between plant and animal components of these shrubby ecosystems. Through four consecutive experiments, we investigated the potential of two well-known medicinal herbs, Achillea millefolium L. (yarrow) and Matricaria chamomilla L. (chamomile), as a feed supplement to increase intake of two terpenoid shrubs, Juniperus oxycedrus and J. phoenicea, by goats. Preliminary research indicated that both yarrow and chamomile had a positive influence on the intake of J. phoenicea by goats, but not on the consumption of J. oxycedrus. Our model could be implemented in the field as an approach to reduce the abundance of J. phoenicea in the environment and to improve the quality of herbage (grasses and forbs) on Mediterranean pastures.

Effect of Achillea Millefolium L. and Matricaria Chamomilla L. on Consumption of Juniperus Oxycedrus L. and J. Phoenicea L. by Goats

Department of Ecology, Agronomy and Aquaculture, University of Zadar, Trg Kneza Viseslava 9, 23 000 Zadar, Croatia

Annals of Animal Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Reduction in herbage production and plant diversity on rangelands on the coastal part of Croatia, due to invasion of terpene-rich shrubs has been recorded...

Effect of Achillea Millefolium L. and Matricaria Chamomilla L. on Consumption of Juniperus Oxycedrus L. and J. Phoenicea L. by Goats

Published Online: Mar 03, 2015

Page range: 119 - 127

Received: Apr 10, 2014

Accepted: Jul 14, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2014-0060

Keywords
chamomile, medical plants, small ruminants, sustainable livestock production, yarrow

© by Ivan Zupan

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Effect of Achillea Millefolium L. and Matricaria Chamomilla L. on Consumption of Juniperus Oxycedrus L. and J. Phoenicea L. by Goats

Published Online: Mar 03, 2015

Page range: 119 - 127

Received: Apr 10, 2014

Accepted: Jul 14, 2014

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/aoas-2014-0060

Keywordschamomile, medical plants, small ruminants, sustainable livestock production, yarrow

© by Ivan Zupan

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
chamomile, medical plants, small ruminants, sustainable livestock production, yarrow