Seasonal Effects of Nitrogen Fertilization on Three Species of South Texas Browse Plants

We conducted a study in Kenedy County of south Texas to determine nitrogen (N) fertilization effects on crude protein (CP), P, Ca, K, and Mg contents of 3 important deer browse plants (granjeno, Celtis pallida; lime pricklyash, Zanthoxylum fagara; and bluewood, Condalia hookeri). Four N fertilizer rates (56, 112, 168, and 224 kg N/ha) were applied in February 1980 to improved rangeland plots where brush was reinfesting. Control plots were nonfertilized. Vegetation samples were assayed for CP, P, Ca, K, and Mg contents on 5 dates: June, September, and December 1980, and April and July 1981. The CP content of plants fertilized with 112 kg N/ha or more was significantly higher (P = 0.05) than those fertilized with 56 kg N/ha or nonfertilized. Except for lime pricklyash plants fertilized with 224 kg N/ha, the CP content of plants fertilized with 168 and 224 kg N/ha was not significantly different from those fertilized with 112 kg N/ha. The addition of 56 kg N/ha had no effect on the species' CP content. Nitrogen fertilization had little effect on the P, Ca, K, and Mg contents of the species. The 3 species from both nontreated and treated plots had adequate CP, Ca, K, and Mg levels for deer nutritive requirements throughout the study, but P levels were generally deficient except in April 1981.This material was digitized as part of a cooperative project between the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries.The Journal of Range Management archives are made available by the Society for Range Management and the University of Arizona Libraries. Contact lbry-journals@email.arizona.edu for further information.Migrated from OJS platform August 202