ACCUMULATION OF MACRONUTRIENTS IN FORAGE GRASSES UNDER SALINE AND ALKALINE CONDITIONS

This study was designed to determine P, K, Ca, Mg and Na mineral accumulations in Agropyron elongatum, Chloris gayana, Cynodon dactylon and Festuca arundinacea species grown on control (non-saline and non-alkaline), highly saline, highly alkaline and highly saline-alkaline soils, and to check whether the obtained fodders meet mineral requirements of animals. The research established in 2011 under a randomized complete blocks design, and continued for three years. Results revealed that macro nutrient contents (P, K, Ca, Mg and Na) accumulation differed significantly among species (except for K), locations (except for Ca) and years. No significant differences were observed among species in terms of potassium content. The highest phosphorus content was detected in Agropyron elongatum, while the highest Ca content observed in A. elongatum and F. arundiancaea. Moreover, the highest Mg content was observed in F. arundiancaeand the highest Na content in A. elongatumand F. arundiancaea. The lowest P, K+ and Na+ accumulations were detected from highly saline-alkaline soils while Mg2+ content was observed in control, highly saline and highly alkaline soils. As for meeting mineral requirements by animals, Ca2+ content of the obtained fodder was found to be sufficient while K+ accumulations were found to be lower and P and Na+ contents, on the other hand, were found to be higher than the recommended levels. Thus, K+ requirements by the animals should be met by additional feeding and because of rich sodium and phosphorus contents, fodder obtained from these species should be fed with caution.