Pak. J. Bot., 37(4): 921-931, 2005. | Back to Contents | ||||
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Updated: 09-07-09 | ||||
EVALUATION OF VARIATION IN SOIL AND FORAGE MICRO-MINERAL CONCENTRATIONS IN A SEMIARID REGION OF PAKISTAN ZAFAR IQBAL KHAN, ALTAF HUSSAIN, M. ASHRAF, EHSAN ELAHI VALEEM* AND IJAZ JAVED**
Abstract:
An investigation was conducted to evaluate the micro-mineral status
of pasture having high population of small ruminants in Punjab, Pakistan.
Soil and forage samples were collected fortnightly for two seasons.
It was found that sampling period affected soil Cu2+, Zn2+
and Se2+ while all forage minerals except Se2+
were affected by sampling times. Seasonal effects were observed in soil
Fe2+, Mn2+ and Se2+, and forage Cu2+,
Fe2+, Zn2+, Mn2+ and Se2+.
All soil mineral levels except Co2+ and Se2+ were
found to be above the critical levels and likely to be adequate for
normal growth of plants growing therein, whereas soil Co2+
and Se2+ were in severe deficient levels during both seasons
for the normal plant growth. The levels of Fe2+, Zn2+,
Co2+, and Se2+ in soil were higher, whereas those
of Cu2+ and Mn2+were lower during winter than
those during summer. Forages contained marginal deficient level of Co2+
during winter, those of Cu2+ and Se2+ during the
summer. Moderate deficient levels of Fe2+and severe deficient
level of Zn2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ were found
during the summer. Forage Co2+, Fe2+, Zn2+,
Mn2+ and Se2+ during winter were found to be adequate
for the requirements of ruminants. Consequently, grazing animals at
this location need continued mineral supplementation of these elements
to prevent diseases caused by nutrient deficiency, and to support optimum
animal productivity.
Department of Botany, University
of Agriculture, Faisalabad-Pakistan. Corresponding Author: Govt. Degree Sci.. & Com. College Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi-75300, valeem@go.com |
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