Halófitas forrageiras com foco no semiárido: uma revisão da literatura

Abstract

The semi-arid climate prevails in most of the states of Northeast Brazil and part of northern Minas Gerais, with high temperatures and low rainfall as its main characteristics, resulting in peculiar soil and vegetation, where dealing with water shortages becomes the main challenge for agriculture and livestock farming in this region. This situation has several consequences, such as soil and water salinization, reducing the availability of food and water for animals, low rainfall, among others. Among some suggestions for solving these problems is the possibility of feeding animals with plants that can be cultivated in the conditions of the Semi-Arid region, especially those that tolerate salinization, so that the high concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) does not alter their productivity. In this sense, the general objective was to evaluate, through a literature review, the importance of forage halophytes in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region. The methodology used was a systematic review of qualitative literature, supported by the Scielo, Lilacs, and Capes databases and institutional university repositories, covering the last 10 years and the Portuguese and English languages. The search yielded 97 scientific publications on the topic, of which five were selected for discussion based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, and were then organized and tabulated. The search concluded that a rich diet is very important for animals living in the Brazilian Semi-Arid region, using feed based on

halophytic forage plants. Forage sorghum and forage palm stand out as good options for energy- rich animal feed.