MONTHLY VARIATION OF FORAGE AND SOIL MINERALS IN CENTRAL FLORIDA .1. MACROMINERALS

A two-year study was conducted to determine the macromineral status of cattle grazed forages, mostly bahiagrass, and soils in central Florida. Soil and forage samples were collected every month for two years. Month differences (P < 0.01) were observed in all forage macrominerals and in crude protein (CP) for both years. No month effect (P > 0.05) was observed in IVOMD level during year 1. Year effects (P < 0.05) were observed in calcium (Ca), sodium (Na) and CP. Concentrations below the critical level were observed in all macrominerals studied. Higher forage macro-mineral concentrations were found during spring-summer months. In general, higher (P < 0.05) soil aluminum (Al), Ca, magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), and organic matter (OM) were observed during fall-winter months, while Na was higher in winter. Soil Ca and Mg were adequate and potassium (K), Na and P were deficient. Year 2 showed higher (P < 0.05) soil macromineral concentrations. Correlation coefficients (r > \0.5\, P < 0.05) were present between forage K and forage CP (r = 0.557) and between forage P and forage CP (r = 0.554). Low correlations were found between soil and forage macrominerals. Percentages of total forage samples with macromineral and CP concentrations below critical levels (in parentheses) and suggestive of deficiency were as follows: in forage, Ca (0.30 ppm), 21%; Mg (0.18 ppm), 34%; K (0.60 ppm), 47%; Na (0.06 ppm), 89%; P (0.25 ppm), 85%; and CP (7%), 18%.