Micronutrient Trace Element Composition of Crested Wheatgrass

Abstract

In crested wheatgrass on northern Nevada range, high cobalt with low copper and zinc concentrations present a rather atypical pattern of trace elements. Zinc and manganese were greater in the seed head than in the foliage but no such differences were found for cobalt, copper or iron. Advancing season from April through July did not influence the micronutrient trace element composition of crested wheatgrass. Copper and zinc concentrations were found to be marginal or deficient for bovine nutrition and many zinc concentrations would generally be considered deficient for plant growth.