Nutrient contents of washed and unwashed grain sorghum plant tissues compared

Abstract

Abstract Analyses of deionized, distilled, water‐washed grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) plant‐tissue parts throughout the plant's growth cycle for Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mg, and Ca contents showed no significant change, except for Fe, in nutrient concentrations from those of unwashed tissue. Iron concentrations were considerably higher in unwashed blade, sheath, and head tissue than in washed parts. Differences between unwashed and washed tissues varied throughout the plant's growth cycle. Iron concentrations in the culm were affected only slightly by washing. Zinc, Cu, and Mn concentrations in plant tissue were affected least by washing. Average Zn concentrations of washed tissue were higher in all plant parts, but not consistently higher from one sampling date to the next. Average Mg and Ca concentrations were slightly higher in unwashed than washed blade and sheath tissue, primarily because concentrations in unwashed tissue tended to be higher late in the growth cycle.