The effect of Halomorphic Soil on B, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn Content of Some Forage Grasses

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of soils with different chemical features on micro (B, Cu, Mn, Fe and Zn) mineral accumulations of Agropyron elongatum, Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon and Festuca arundinacea species, which show different salinity tolerance levels, and to check whether the obtained fodders meet mineral requirements of animals. For this aim, non-saline (ECe 0.43 dS/m, DSY %8.9), highly saline (ECe 9.80 dS/m, DSY %11.9), highly alkaline (ECe 0.89 dS/m, DSY %60.5) and highly saline-alkaline (ECe 9.08 dS/m, DSY %49.7) soils of Iğdır Plain in the East of Turkey were selected as trial areas. The experimental was carried out in 3 replication under a randomized complete blocks design in 3 years between 2011 and 2013. The results show that species, location and year have significant effects on the mineral contents (except Fe). The highest Mn and Zn contents were observed in F.arundinacea species while the lowest B accumulations were measured in Chloris gayana and Agropyron elongatum species, respectively. On the other hand, Cynodon dacylon and Chloris gayana species observed to have relatively lower Cu2+ contents in comparison with A.elongatum and F.arundiancaea species. According to these findings, Fe2+ and Zn2+ contents of the investigated species were found to be sufficient for meeting mineral requirements by the animals. In terms of Cu2+ and Mn2+ contents, F.arundiancea and A.elongatum were observed to have higher mineral contents than the reqired levels by the animals while C.dactylon species showed a lower mineral content. B, Cu2+, Fe2+, Zn2+ and Mn2+ accumulations of the feeds have significantly increased as salinity and alkalinity levels of the soils increased. As to the years, mineral contents of the feeds generally increased following the year of establishment and the highest Mn2+, B, Cu2+ and Zn2+ contents were measured in 2013, while the highest Fe2+ contents were observed in 2012