Abstract

RODRIGUEZ, M¹; ALVAREZ GONCALVEZ, CV; FERNANDEZ CIRELLI, A  and  PEREZ CARRERA, A. Effect of arsenic on forages with relevance for Argentina livestock. InVet [online]. 2016, vol.18, n.1, pp.05-11. ISSN 1668-3498.

In the Chacopampean Plain, Argentina, forage species are exposed to arsenic present in groundwater used for irrigation. In this study, the effect of arsenic on seedling germination and on the biomass of alfalfa and perennial grass was determined. A non significant impact on the germination percentage in either species was detected; however, it was observed a negative effect on the hypocotyls length of alfalfa, and on the root lengths of both species. A decrease in biomass was observed in the presence of arsenic but this was not significant. These results demonstrate the importance of further study of the arsenic effects and the other trace elements on fodder development, mainstay of livestock production.

Keywords : Arsenic; Alfalfa; Grass; Germination; Toxicity.