Title | Chemical composition of Flourensia cernua at four growth stages |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 1996 |
Authors | Estell RE, Fredrickson E.L., Havstad K |
Journal | Grass and Forage Science |
Volume | 51 |
Pagination | 434-441 |
Date Published | 1996 |
Abstract | Tarbush (Flourensia cernua DC) is an abundant Chihuahuan Desert shrub but is used sparingly by livestock. Leaves were removed from forty tarbush plants harvested in each of 3 years during four growth stages: (1) early, (2) mid-point, (3) late and (4) curtailed growth (ten plants per growth stage each year). Plants were air dried and all leaves were removed. In vitro dry-matter (DM) disappearance was greater for the early growth stage than other stages (P<·05). The fibrous fraction increased with maturity, with neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents all less for the early growth stage (P<0-05) than other stages. The latter three growth stages did not differ in NDF or ADF content, but ADL content was lower for the mid-point growth stage than for the two later stages (P<·05). Calcium content increased with advancing season (P<0-05), whereas phosphorus concentration exhibited an inverse pattern (P<·05). Nitrogen (N) content of tarbush was greatest in the early growth stage (P-cO-OS) and declined substantially thereafter. Soluble N content was greater and acid detergent insoluble N (ADIN) content was lower for early growth (P<·05) than other stages. Insoluble N concentration followed a pattern similar to N, declining with advancing season (P |
URL | /files/bibliography/475.pdf |
DOI | 10.1111/j.1365-2494.1996.tb02078.x |