ROOT-PLOWING EFFECTS ON NUTRITIONAL-VALUE OF BROWSE AND MAST IN SOUTH TEXAS

Leaf and mast material was collected from mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa Torr,), huisache (Acacia smallii Isely), granjeno (Celtis pallida Torr,), and hog plum (Colubrina texana (T. & G.) Gray) on both root-plowed and untreated sites in south Texas. Forages were analyzed for nitrogen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), Forages differed among species for N, NDF, and IVDMD, Leaf IVDMD of huisache and hog plum was higher on untreated sites, Huisache mast was higher in N and NDF concentrations, but not IVDMD, on untreated sites, Browsers on root-plowed sites may be forced to use forages of fewer digestible nutrients than on untreated sites. The cause of changes in browse quality following brush manipulation should be examined.