Magnesium biofortification of Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum L.) via agronomy and breeding as a potential way to reduce grass tetany in grazing ruminants.

ABSTRACT:

Aim

Magnesium (Mg) deficiency (known as grass tetany) is a serious metabolic disorder that affects grazing ruminants. We tested whether Mg-fertiliser can increase Mg concentration of Italian ryegrasses (Lolium multiflorum L.) including a cultivar (cv. Bb2067; 'Magnet'), bred to accumulate larger concentrations of Mg.

Methods

Under controlled environment (CE) conditions, three cultivars (cv. Bb2067, cv. Bb2068, cv. RvP) were grown in low-nutrient compost at six fertiliser rates (0-1500 μM MgCl₂.6H₂O). Under field conditions, the three cultivars in the CE condition and cv. Alamo were grown at two sites, and four rates of MgSO₄ fertiliser application rates (0-200 kg ha^-1 MgO). Multiple grass cuts were taken over two-years.

R

SUBMITTER: Kumssa DB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7686178 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature