Millions of hectares of arid and semiarid western states of the United States are covered by saltbush (Atriplex spp.) plants upon which millions of meat animals graze each year. Many saltbushes are reasonably good forage plants wherever they grow (Bidwell and Wooton 1925). The ability of saltbushes to put out new growth in dry years when annual plants fail, makes these plants valuable for intensive year-round grazing practices (Sankary and Barbour 1972). The value of the saltbushes will be better appreciated when it is remembered that in the selection of foods, the chief nutrients to be considered are protein compounds or nitrogenous ingrediets.
Statistical analysis shows that the differences in utilization of species, amount, and interaction between species and amount are significant. Artemisiu herbu ulbu is the least and Kochia prostrata is the most palatable of these two native species. The palatability of Atriplex cunescens is intermediate when compared with two other native species. Because of the success that has been achieved in establishing Atriplex cunescens in large scale plantings, Atriplex uznescens as a forage plant has considerable promise in Iran.