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Estimated Digestibility of some Southern Browse Tissues

U.S.D.A. Forest Service, Nacogdoches, Texas 75961 and Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge 70803

Abstract

In spring when twigs are succulent and growing rapidly, they are readily digestible and their digestibility as determined by the nylon bag technique can be predicted by the summative equation of Van Soest or from expressions of their lignocellulose content. Estimated digestibility diminishes as twigs mature, and the usefulness of mature woody twigs seems closely related to either their cell content or lignocellulose component. Mature twigs are a poor-quality roughage, perhaps because extensive lignification of the abundant CWC limits digestion. Leaves of many woody species are very digestible because of high cell content, but no accurate index to leaf digestibility is currently available. Leaves provide important nutrition to small browsing ruminants.

¹ Stationed at the Wildlife Habitat and Silviculture Laboratory, maintained by the Southern Forest Experiment Station in cooperation with Stephen F. Austin State University.

² Chief Chemist, Feed and Fertilizer Laboratory, Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station.