New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Cobalt and nickel accumulation in Nyssa (tupelo) species and its significance for New Zealand agriculture

B. H. ROBINSON

The Horticultural and Food Research Institute
of NZ Ltd
Private Bag 11030
Palmerston, North, New Zealand

R. R. BROOKS
M. J. HEDLEY*

Soil and Earth Sciences
Institute of Natural Resources
Massey University
Private Bag 11222
Palmerston North, New Zealand

Abstract  Ninety-seven leaf samples taken from three cobalt-accumulating species of Nyssa (tupelo) growing at various localities in New Zealand were analysed for Co and Ni to examine the range of Co and Ni concentrations found in New Zealand specimens, as well as to determine whether their Co content was a measure of the Co status of the soils. A further aim was to establish whether leaves could be used as a feed supplement to sheep and cattle in order to avoid Co deficiency in farm animals. Maximum Co and Ni concentrations were 95 and 32 ug g^-1 (dry mass) in leaves of N. sylvatica with geometric means of 7.1 and 4.0 ug g^-1, respectively. Comparable values were obtained for N. aquatica and N. sinensis. Bioaccumulation coefficients (BAC, i.e., plant/soil Co or Ni quotients) were 4-6 times higher for Co than for Ni and showed a disproportionately high uptake of Co compared with Ni. BAC values increased exponentially with decreasing Co concentrations in the soil, thus highlighting the possibility of using Nyssa to recover Co from soils impoverished in this element. It was calculated that leaf fall from three Nyssa trees, when used as a feed supplement, may provide sufficient Co to alleviate Co deficiency for up to 10 sheep, though this procedure will require further study before being recommended unequivocally.

Keywords  Nyssa sylvatica; Nyssa aquatica; Nyssa sinensis; cobalt; nickel

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1999, Vol. 42: 235-240

0028-8233/99/4203-0235 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1999

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (441K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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