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

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 the latter part of the sampling period. N/TWSC ratios were widest at the initial sampling date and decreased markedly in subsequent samplings.

Organic acid concentrations were determined in 1975 wheat forage samples by gas‐liquid chromatography. Citric and trans‐aconitic acids have been implicated in the etiology of grass tetany as chelating agents for Mg and Ca. Chelation in the rumen fluid may reduce Mg and Ca absorption or chelation in the blood serum may reduce biological activity. Malic and aconitic acids accumulated in wheat. Malic acid concentration increased with advancing plant maturity to a maximum of 1.70% (dry weight basis). Aconitic acid concentrations were highest at the mid‐point in the sampling period, a maximum of 1.24% being determined.

Key words:

• Nitrogen concentration
• water‐soluble protein N
• non‐protein N
• total water‐soluble carbohydrates
• aconitic acid
• malic acid
• citric acid