Alexandre Krutzmann

Effect of boron and zinc fertilization on white oats grown in soil with average content of these nutrients

ABSTRACT - The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of fertilization with zinc or boron on the growthand dry matter production, nutritional value and accumulation of nutrients in white oats. The study comprised two experimentsconducted in glasshouses, the first consisting of the application of four doses of zinc (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/dm 3 ) in the formof zinc sulphate (20% Zn), and the second consisting of the application of four doses of boron (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mg/dm 3 )in the form of Borax (11% B). The experimental design in each case was a randomized block design, with five replicates.Fertilization with zinc and boron increased the growth of white oats, but had no significant effect on the nutritional valueof the forage. Higher levels of absorption and accumulation of nutrients in plant tissues were observed following the applicationof boron and zinc at rates of up to 0.60 mg/dm 3 of soil.Key Words: Avena sativa , crude protein, dry matter Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia