Release of Macrominerals from a Cross Section of Three Forage Grasses during Water-soaking

Abstract

Two experiments were carried out to investigate the release rates of macrominerals as a factor affecting the efficiency of minerals in forage by ruminants. The quantitative analysis of minerals was determined with X-ray counts by an energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. Cross sections of leaves of three grass species were soaked in water for 5 minutes to 12 hours. Mineral release rate was expressed in terms of percentage calculated from differential values between EDX data of original samples and those of water-soaked samples. In elemental composition of original sample. Si was the most predominant element and followed by K and Cl. Almost all of the mobile elements were released in less than one hour in water. Release percentage was highest in K. It was medium in CI and Ca, low in S, P and Mg, and lowest in Si. Varietal differences in the watersolubility of minerals were variable among the experimental years. Significant differences among plants in the release of most elements were obtained, while the differences among plant parts appeared to be small.