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

Leaf and mast material was collected from mesquite (Prosopis glandulos a Torr,), huisache (Acacia smallii Isely), granjeno (Celtis pallida To rr,), and hog plum (Colubrina texana (T. & G.) Gray) on both root-plow ed and untreated sites in south Texas. Forages were analyzed for nitro gen (N), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and in vitro dry matter digest ibility (IVDMD), Forages differed among species for N, NDF, and IVDMD, Leaf IVDMD of huisache and hog plum was higher on untreated sites, Hu isache mast was higher in N and NDF concentrations, but not IVDMD, on untreated sites, Browsers on root-plowed sites may be forced to use fo rages of fewer digestible nutrients than on untreated sites. The cause of changes in browse quality following brush manipulation should be e xamined.