Copper complexes in grassland herbage

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Abstract
Herbage samples from both Swayback and normal pastures were subjected to organic solvent extraction with a series of solvents of gradually increasing dielectric constant. The quantities of Cu extracted by different solvents are compared and the results discussed. The solubility of herbage Cu in water was investigated by the use of a dialysis procedure. The results indicate that rather less water-soluble Cu is present in the Swayback pastures than in normal herbage. Samples were extracted with dilute aqueous solutions of chelating agents. Seasonal variations in the solubility of herbage Cu were demonstrated particularly in the case of the normal samples examined. The greater part of the Cu in both Swayback and normal pastures appears to be bound in a form which is more stable than the copper-glycine complex. The Cu complexes present in the water soluble component of herbage were examined by the use of filter-paper partition chromatography. The possible significance of the above findings is discussed in relation to the question of the availability of organic Cu complexes to the ruminant.