Abstract :
The mineral composition of two-straw types (barley and wheat) was determined and chosen based on their availability and economic feasibility to Jordanian farmers in Karak Governorate. Nine different samples of each straw type were obtained throughout the Governorate from the following villages: Demneh, Mazar, Rakeen, Mohay, Galanzeh, Fako, Rabah, Lwaseh and Bateer. The average mineral composition, namely, Ca, K, Mg, Na, P and S were measured for each straw type and compared against the average tabulated values mostly used in literature such as those documented by the National Research Council (NRC). Substantial variations within a given straw type were observed in the present study. Among the analyzed minerals in the barley straw samples, P had the highest coefficient of variation (CV%= 40.99%), whereas K had the lowest CV%(19.65%). Among the analyzed mineral concentrations in wheat-straw samples, P also had the highest CV%(64.18%), whereas Mg had the lowest CV%(18.08%). It can be concluded that quantifying variations in mineral concentrations in both wheat and barley straws were necessary to recommend mineral-supplementation strategies.
