Analysis of trace elements in forages by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy

Clark, D.H. and Cary, E.E. and Mayland, H.F. (1989) Analysis of trace elements in forages by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy. Agronomy Journal. 81:91-95.

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Abstract

Use of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for elemental
analysis has been limited to a few elements including Ca, P, K,
and Mg. However, other elements are of interest in the agricultural
industry. Therefore, NIRS spectra were collected on forage samples
consisting of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), crested
wheatgrass (Agropyron cristatum and A. desertorum), and alfalfa
(Medicago sativa L.). Elemental concentrations of Ba, Li, Mo, Ni,
Pb, V, Al, S, and Si were determined by ICP (Inductively Coupled
Argon Plasma) analysis while selenium (Se) was determined by fluorometry.
The elemental analyses were regressed against NIRS apparent
absorption from 1100 to 2500 nm at 2-nm increments. Coefficients
of variation /CV = (standard error of performance / the mean
from the chemical procedure) X 1001 ranged from a high of 211%
for Li in crested wheatgrass to 11% for S in alfalfa. Determination
of Ba, Li, Mo, Ni, Pb, and V exhibited enough inconsistency in CVs
among the three forages to preclude their determination with NIRS.
Aluminum and S appear to be present in an organic form that NIRS
is able to detect (CV = 22 and 15, 21 and 12, and 28 and 11%, for
tall fescue, crested wheatgrass, and alfalfa, respectively). Silica exhibited
slightly more variation than S or Al, with alfalfa having the
highest CV (49%). Selenium was only determined on a tall fescue
population with a CV = 27%. Using the statistical values as parameters
indicative of NIRS utility, it appears that Al and S are the
only elements in this group of minerals that can be determined with
NIRS for these forage types.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0669
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Grass forage Research methodology Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:53
Last Modified:	05 Jan 2017 19:10
Item ID:	508
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/508