Rumen degradability of 3 halophyte species including Sedilitzia rosmarinus, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Kochia scoparia were determined and compared with the measure parameters for alfalfa hay and wheat straw samples. In situ rumen degradability was determined at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48, 72, 96 and 120 h after ruminal incubation. The results of ruminal degradability demonstrated that the “a” fraction (rapidly degradable) of Halocnemum strobilaceum was significantly highest (P < 0.05) among the halophytes and alfalfa hay or wheat straw, whereas the value “b” fraction (slowly degradable) for wheat straw was higher (P < 0.05) than other treatments. The “c” fraction (rate of degradation) of Sedilitzia rosmarinus and Halocnemum strobilaceum was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than that for other treatments whereas lowest level of “c” fraction was absorbed in wheat straw sample. Potential degradability (PD) level of Sedilitzia rosmarinus (76%) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher than other forage whereas lowest of this factor was observed in wheat straw (60%). Also effective degradability (ED) level in Sedilitzia rosmarinus (70%) was significantly (P < 0.05) highest among the other treatments whereas lowest level of ED was observed in wheat straw (60%). It was concluded concluded that Sedilitzia rosmarinus and Halocnemum strobilaceum could be relatively a suitable forage for the dry area of many part of the Iranian wilderness.

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