Effect of calcium levels on the mineral composition of macronutrients in milletS (Pennisetum americanum)

Abstract

An experiment was conducted in glass-house in order to check the effects of different levels of calcium on the micronutrient composition of millet plants during 38 days. The following treatments were applied: 0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 ppm of calcium in the nutrient solutions. The plants were harvested after 38 days and divided into young leaves, old leaves, ears and stolk, which were analyzed for B, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn. The authors concluded: The calcium levels reduced the concentrations of Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn in the plants; The calcium levels did not affected the absorption of B; The calcium levels in the nutrient solutions did not affected the minimum requirements of Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn for the cattle nutrition.