In vitro Digestibility among Accessions of Big Sagebrush by Wild Mule Deer and Its Relationship to Monoterpenoid Content

Abstract
Results of in vitro digestibility trials indicate that big sagebrush (A. tridentata) is a highly digestible browse for wintering mule deer. A. t. tridentata (62.1% digested dry matter) was more highly digested than A. t. vaseyana (53.2% digested dry matter) and A. t. wyomingensis (51.4% digested dry matter). On an accession level, some accessions of big sagebrush were more highly digested than others. The accessional range was from 44.6% digested dry matter to 64.8%. No relationship was found between total monoterpenoid (essential or volatile oils) content and digestibility.