Huisache Growth, Browse Quality, and Use Following Burning

Abstract

Exposure of huisache plants to fire for 5, 10, or 20 sec on Coastal Prairie in June, August, October, or December 1979, and February or April 1980 usually killed canopies of 90% or more of the plants. However, all burned huisache plants sprouted following treatment, regardless of season or intensity of burning. Precipitation, rather than season of treatment appeared to regulate rate of huisache regrowth following burning. Huisache 1 to 2 m tall replaced their original heights by the end of the second growing season after burning. New growth of huisache plants burned in winter contained more crude protein and phosphorus into late summer, than did browse from unburned plants. Differences in crude protein contents between twigs from burned and unburned plants were greatest following significant rainfall; there were no differences during dry periods. Although burning in late August increased number of twigs available for browsing, it did not affect percentage of available huisache twigs which were browsed. Large browsers (white-tailed deer and cattle) and small animals (rodents and lagomorphs) apparently accounted for most browse removal during the first 60 to 90 days postburn. However, insects apparently consumed most of the huisache browse during the growing season following burning in August.