EXTENT AND RATE OF DIGESTION OF THE DRY-MATTER IN LEAVES OF 10 NATIVESHRUBS FROM NORTHEASTERN MEXICO

This study analyses seasonal chemical composition and effective degrad ability of dry matter (EDDM) of foliage from 10 shrubby Mexican specie s. Rumen cannulated Pelibuey sheep, fed Medicago sativa hay, were used to incubate nylon bags containing ground leaves samples (4 g) from ea ch shrub and M. sativa hay. Only Celtis pallida and Helietta parvifoli a resulted with higher EDDM than M. sativa. These three plants also ha d relatively low lignin content. Cell wall and its components limited the extent and rate of DM degradation of most evaluated plants.