Assessment of some chemical element contents in Traganum nudatum Del shrub using instrumental neutron activation analysis

Instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) has been used to determine some chemical element contents (K, Ca, Na, Fe, Zn, Co, Eu, Sb, and Sc) in Traganum nudatum Del (Chenopodiaceae family) consumed in North African rangelands by sheep livestock. Samples were collected from the area of Djelfa in an arid steppe of Algeria. Results show that pasture halophyte had sufficient levels of K, Ca, Zn, and Co to meet the requirements of ruminants. However, it seems that this halophyte shrub had substantial amounts of Na, higher than the critical level established by the National Research Council (NRC). Eu, Sb, and Sc were within the safety baseline of all the assayed elements recommended by the NRC. The high Na content (similar to 10 g/kg) in this halophytic species requires elevated intake of water by livestock.