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Abstract
Patterns of browse selection by Boer goats in a representative Acacia karroo community in the eastern Cape were studied. The rate of intake of browse was positively related to the leaf mass per unit length of the shoot. The ease of harvesting leaf material, as determined by the height off the ground, modified the rate of intake. Generally, following browsing, tannin levels increased significantly and in vitro digestibility decreased significantly. These changes in tannin content and digestibility differed in magnitude according to the plant size and age of the shoot and leaf. Generally, the leaf and shoot intake was negatively related to tannin content and positively related to digestibility, thus influencing patterns of selection for different plant parts and size classes of A. karroo. However, some of the results are contradictory.
Die struikseleksiepatroon van boerbokke op ‘n verteenwoordige Acacia karroo gemeenskap in die oos‐Kaap is ondersoek. Daar was ‘n positiewe verwantskap tussen die tempo van struikinname en blaarmassa per eenheid lootlengte. Die gemak waarmee lootmateriaal, gemeet aan die hoogte bo grondvlakte, deur bokke ge‐oes is, het die tempo van blaarinname beïnvloed. Na struikbenutting het die tannieninhoud betekenisvol verhoog en verteerbaarheid betekenisvol afgeneem. Die veranderinge in tannieninhoud en verteerbaarheid het in verhouding tot blaar‐ en lootouderdom en plantgrootte verskil. Oor die algemeen, toon blaar‐ en lootinname ‘n negatiewe verwantskap met tannieninhoud terwyl dit ‘n positiewe verwantskap met verteerbaarheid toon om sodoende die seleksie patrone vir verskillende plantdele en grootte klasse van A. karroo te beïnvloed. Nietemin, is sommige van die resultate teenstrydig.
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