VALUE AND USE
SPECIES: Panicum obtusum | Vine-Mesquite 



WOOD PRODUCTS VALUE : 
NO-ENTRY


IMPORTANCE TO LIVESTOCK AND WILDLIFE : 
Vine-mesquite is an important forage species for a variety of wildlife
[7,19,27] and all classes of livestock [23].  Livestock graze the
foliage and inflorescence [31].

The use of vine-mesquite by wildlife is varied.  The seed, where locally
available, comprises 5 to 10 percent of the diet of northern bobwhite
(Colinus virginianus) [27] and is important in the diets of scaled
quail, Gambel's quail, and mourning doves [19].  The foliage and
inflorescence are consumed by deer, elk [33], jackrabbits, ground
squirrels, prairie dogs, and pronghorn [7].


PALATABILITY : 
The palatability of vine-mesquite to livestock varies seasonally.  When
vine-mesquite is green and succulent, palatability is rated as good; but
as the grass matures and cures, it becomes coarse, and its palatability
decreases to fair [21].  In pinyon-juniper woodlands vine-mesquite
is considered an "ice cream" species.  Cattle seek out the inflorescence
first, then graze the cured as well as the green vine-mesquite [31].

The degree of use shown by livestock and wildlife species for
vine-mesquite in several western states is rated as follows
[7,19,27,31,33]:

                         AZ      CO      NM      TX      UT
Cattle                  fair    fair    good    good    fair
Sheep                   fair    fair    good    good    fair
Horses                  fair    fair    good    good    fair
Pronghorn               fair    fair    good    good    fair
Elk                     good    fair    good    ----    fair
Mule deer               good    ----    good    ----    ----
White-tailed deer       good    good    good    good    ----
Small mammals           good    good    good    good    good
Upland game birds       good    good    good    good    good


NUTRITIONAL VALUE : 
Vine-mesquite provides good overall nutrition for cattle [22].  Huston
and others [22] reported the following nutritional values for
vine-mesquite in the summer and fall:

                                Percent Composition
Date            Water   Ash     Cellwall   Phosphorus   Protein   DOM*
 7/27/73        53      8       70         0.14         7         53
10/25/73        57      10      71         0.10         7         42

* DOM - digestible organic matter (a measure of the digestible energy
value of feeds)


COVER VALUE : 
Due to its dense stand characteristics vine-mesquite provides hiding
cover for various rodents and upland game birds [7,19,27].


VALUE FOR REHABILITATION OF DISTURBED SITES : 
Vine-mesquite provides effective erosion control due to its rhizomatous
and stoloniferous characteristics [21,23].

Dahl and other [13] looked at the establishment of new stands of
vine-mesquite.  Their findings showed that the ease of establishing a
stand was rated as only fair, but once established, stand maintenance
was rated as good.  Vine-mesquite readily established on silt and clay
soils, whereas establishment on sandy soils was only fair.  Site
preparation involved disc plowing and rolling.  Rolling increased the
moisture-holding capabilities of the soil and improved seed placement
when planted.  The seed drill was set at a depth 0.5 inch (1 cm) with a
seeding rate of 6.1 pounds of pure live seed (PLS) per acre (6.9 kg PLS
/ha).


OTHER USES AND VALUES : 
NO-ENTRY


MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS : 
Vine-mesquite decreases in response to moderate or heavy grazing
pressure [37].  Therefore, stands growing in areas subject to erosion
should be lightly grazed [21].  After fire, vine-mesquite should be
protected from grazing for 3 to 4 months [44].

Vine-mesquite is susceptible to broad-spectrum dicot herbicides such as
picloram and dicamba.  These herbicides reduce the growth and
development of its root system [36].

When reestablishing vine-mesquite on a site, one should plant in the
spring when soil temperature regimes are cool to warm, and soil moisture
is adequate.  Planting at this time aids in germination and seedling
establishment [38].

Related categories for Species: Panicum obtusum | Vine-Mesquite