MAJOR AND MINOR ELEMENT STATUS OF HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY ALFALFA

A study was made of the major and minor element status of healthy and unhealthy alfalfa. Elements determined were calcium, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, molybdenum, manganese, zinc and boron. Unhealthy alfalfa was found to be deficient in potassium and/or boron, the critical levels being 1 per cent and 20 parts per million respectively.The levels of other major and minor elements were similar in both healthy and unhealthy plants. Available soil boron was apparently positively correlated with plant tissue boron.