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Crude protein, energy, cell wall, ash and fat content of the five most important browse species of the Mendoza plain were determined. Browse showed high mean protein and energy concentration in both the growing season and dry season. Average cell wall contents were comparable to those of dormant native grasses. Leaves and twigs of Capparis atamisquea and leaves and inflorescences of Prosopis flexuosa var. depressa showed the highest nutrient content. As in other arid and semi-arid zones of the world, browse constitutes a necessary and adequate supplement to grasses in the dry season. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.