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Genetic Variability for Mineral Concentration in Plants Related to Mineral Requirements of Cattle¹

Many problems in plant and animal production are attributable to mineral imbalances in soils and in feed rations. The prevailing attitude has been that nutrient disorders in plants can be corrected by applying commercial fertilizers and that deficiencies in animals can be corrected by supplementing diets. Limited attempts have been made to exploit genetic, variability, in plants for accumulation of and reactions to minerals. Recent reviews amply illustrate the genetic variability for tolerance to adverse concentrations of some elements and the potential for their use on problem soils. Other mineral-related agricultural problems may be attacked through plant breeding. We chose breeding for plant mineral concentrations that meet requirements for animal production to illustrate further the potential of genetic variability. We will emphasize how the genetic variability for mineral concentrations in plants may be exploited to more nearly balance animal diets, and, to a lesser extent, the modes of inheritance of mineral concentrations in plants.

Key Words: Plant mineral nutrition • Animal health and nutrition

² Research agronomist, ARS-USDA (also adjunct associate professor of plant breeding), and professor of veterinary science extension, respectively.

Received for publication November 7, 1975.