Chemical composition of plants associated with saline sites in Alberta in relation to mineral requirements for beef cattle

Abstract

Plant samples were collected from 102 saline sites in Alberta from 1990 to 1993 to determine major element and trace element concentrations in relation to mineral requirements for beef cattle. Zinc concentrations were most frequently (94%) below the minimum requirement for beef cattle, followed by Cu (92%), Se (87%), Na (49%), Mn (29%), K (21%), Mg (3%), Fe (1%) and S (1%). The element most frequently exceeding the maximum tolerable level for beef cattle was S (20%), followed by Mg (17%), Al (5%), Fe (5%) and Mo (1%). Beef cattle consuming plants from saline areas of Alberta are more likely to experience potential deficiencies than toxicities of chemical elements required for adequate nutrition. Key words: Major elements, trace elements, plants, saline areas, mineral requirements, beef cattle