Morphological characterization of artemisia species in Kazakhstan and evaluation of their nutritional value.

The article presents a study of the morphological characteristics and nutritional value of the most widespread species of wormwood (Artemisia L.) growing in Kazakhstan: genus - Artemisia halophila, species - A. karatavica, A. diffusa, and A. turanica. A comprehensive morphological analysis was carried out, including the examination of leaf structure, plant height, inflorescence type, and root system features. In addition, a biochemical assessment was performed using advanced instrumentation (FOSS NIRS analyzer) to determine the content of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fiber, macro- and microelements across different seasons. It was found that in spring, the concentration of nutrients in wormwood is significantly higher compared to summer, which is associated with the active growth phase of the plants. According to the results, A. diffusa and A. karatavica demonstrated the highest nutritional value. The elevated levels of phenolic compounds, iron, zinc, and manganese highlight the potential of wormwood species as a source of biologically active substances for use in the food and feed industries. The obtained data can be applied to improve pasture lands and increase livestock productivity in arid regions of Kazakhstan.