Abstract: We study the average and range Fe contents in wild plants from pastures located in West and Central Spain, and how its Fe content is affected by some environmental factors, specially the soil variables: lithology, clay, pH, organic matter, free CaCOs, exchangeable Ca, Mg, K and Al, available P, total N, water, climate, rainfall, temperature range and light intensity. Nine species were studied, four legumes: Trifolium subterraneum L. brachycalycinum Katzn. et Morley, Trifolium subterraneum L. subterraneum, Trifolium cemuum and Ornithopus compressus; and five grasses: Agrostis castellana, Bromus hordaceus, Cynodon dactylon, Dactylis glomerata and Holcus lanatus. In Western Spain, the Fe mean content in T. subterraneum is 171.1 rngkg"1 whileinT? brachycalycinum is 146.3 mg kg~'. The composition varied according to several environmental factors. Rainfall effect was significant for Fe plant content in subclovers. Climate was also significant in the case of T. subterraneum, the highest Fe contents were obtained on températe climates. Soil moisture is importan! for both Trifolium, which absorb iron easily in moist sites but hardly in dry or very wet sites. Parent material, clay and organic matter are highly significant for Fe content in the case of T. subterraneum. Exchangeable Ca, Mg and K are among the most significant soil parameters affecting Fe uptake by subclovers. Grassland species differ in their ability to take up Fe from the soil. In acid and wet pastures in Central Spain, the ability to absorb Fe is higher for all species in relation to soil moisture. Flooding and the acid character of these environments also favour Fe absorption in some cases.
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