Root temperature and calcium level effects on winter wheat forage. II: Nutrient composition and tetany potential

Plants grown at 8°C root temperature had significantly lower Ca, Mg, K, and N concentrations in the shoots, and a significantly lower equivalent ratio of K/(Ca+Mg), compared to those grown at 16°C. Plants transferred from 8 to 16°C had significantly increased Ca, Mg, K, and N concentrations in the shoots over time, as levels changed from those characteristic of low root temperature plants to those characteristic of high root temperature plants. Plants transferred from 8 to 16°C also had an equivalent ratio of K/(Ca+Mg) that increased 1 wk after the transfer, indicating a greater tetany hazard