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Micronutrient concentrations in common and novel forage species and varieties grown on two contrasting soils
Author(s) -
Lindström B. E. M.,
FrankowLindberg B. E.,
Dahlin A. S.,
Wivstad M.,
Watson C. A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
grass and forage science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.716
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1365-2494
pISSN - 0142-5242
DOI - 10.1111/gfs.12006
Subject(s) - red clover , micronutrient , forage , perennial plant , agronomy , biology , legume , fodder , soil water , chemistry , ecology , organic chemistry
We investigated differences between forage species with regard to micronutrients that are essential to sustain livestock health. Five grasses (timothy, perennial ryegrass, meadow fescue, tall fescue and cocksfoot), three legumes (red clover, white clover and birdsfoot trefoil) and four forbs (ribwort plantain, salad burnet, caraway and chicory) were grown on one micronutrient‐poor/low p H soil and one micronutrient‐rich/high p H soil (outdoor pot experiment). In addition, six grasses (timothy, perennial ryegrass, meadow fescue, tall fescue, F estulolium hybrid and cocksfoot) and one legume (red clover) were field‐grown on the micronutrient‐poor soil. Of the twelve pot‐grown species, herbage of chicory, red clover and white clover generally had the highest micronutrient concentrations (maximum C o, C u, F e and Z n concentrations were 0·23, 9·8, 233 and 109 mg kg −1 DM , respectively), except for M o, which was highest in the clovers (10·6 mg kg −1 DM ), and M n, which was highest in cocksfoot (375 mg kg −1 DM). Soil type had the strongest effect on plant M o and M n concentrations. We also investigated differences in micronutrients between varieties, but they were generally few and negligible. The results indicate that choice of forage species is of major importance for micronutrient concentrations in herbage and that soil type exerts a major effect through p H . Forage of chicory, red clover and white clover generally met the requirements of high‐yielding dairy cows with regard to most micronutrients; therefore, diversification of seed mixtures so as to include these species could increase micronutrient concentrations in forage.