ISSN 1392-3196 / e-ISSN 2335-8947
Zemdirbyste-Agriculture, vol. 110, No. 1 (2023), p. 27–32
DOI 10.13080/z-a.2023.110.004
Heavy metal content in green matter of field pea and spring triticale mixtures and their usage determination as green fodder for animals
Rafał GÓRSKI, Anna PŁAZA
Abstract
The objective of the study was to determine the influence of component share in a mixture and the harvest date on heavy metal content in field pea (Pisum sativum L.) and spring triticale (× Triticosecale Wittm.) mixtures grown to produce animal feed. Two experimental factors were analysed: factor A – component proportion in the mixture: field pea 100%, spring triticale 100%, field pea 75% + spring triticale 25%, field pea 50% + spring triticale 50%, and field pea 25% + spring triticale 75%; factor B – harvest date: field pea flowering stage and flat green pod stage. Samples of plant material were taken to determine the content of Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Ni. The results showed that among experimental mixtures, the most beneficial chemical composition was given by the mixed crops containing 75 + 25% and 50 + 50% of field pea and spring triticale, respectively. Cadmium and lead content in field pea and spring triticale mixtures remained below the detectability threshold of an emission spectrometer Perkin Elmer Optima 8300. Even if the green matter produced from the examined field pea and spring triticale mixtures is safe for animal, continuous monitoring for heavy metals is recommended.
Keywords: Pisum sativum, ×Triticosecale, harvest date, heavy metals.
