Biochemical factors in wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) involved in the tetany syndrome

Abstract

Abstract Nitrogen in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) forage was fractionated into water‐soluble protein N (WSPN) and non‐protein N (NPN). Both WSPN and NPN can be rapidly converted to ammonia in the rumen which may increase pH of rumen fluid and decrease solubility of Mg compounds and lead to increased incidence of grass tetany. In plant samples taken after spring growth initiation, WSPN represented approximately 50% of total N and NPN represented approximately 25% of total N. Total N concentration and relative percentages of WSPN and NPN decreased with advancing plant maturity in 1974, but during 1975 the relative WSPN and NPN percentages remained relatively constant at 43 to 55% and 18 to 30% of total N, respectively. Total N, WSPN, and NPN concentrations decreased as plants matured. Total water‐soluble carbohydrates (TWSC) were determined and N/TWSC ratios were calculated in wheat forage. TWSC concentrations increased from the initial sampling date to a peak concentration and then declined during t...