PJB-2006-119
FORAGE MINERAL STATUS EVALUATION: THE INFLUENCE OF PASTURES
ZAFAR IQBAL KHAN, M. ASHRAF AND EHSAN ELAHI VALEEM*
Abstract
Information is lacking on mineral nutritive potential of native pastures in arid pastures in different regions of Pakistan. An experiment, using wet nitric acid (HNO3) digestion followed by an atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), was carried out to measure the levels of macro and micro minerals of herbage forages of a grazing pasture of Leiah district of south-western Punjab, Pakistan. The grazed forages had different concentrations of Ca and Mg, respectively, and were slightly higher than the minimum recommended levels in the diets of ruminants. Content of micro minerals varied among the grazing pasture forages. The forages had lower levels of Cu and slightly low to moderate contents of Zn as compared to recommended dietary requirements of ruminants. The feeds had moderate to high. The forages had levels of Fe considerably in excess of requirements. In order to optimize livestock productivity in ruminants fed on the pasture forages, specially, during winter or dry seasons, there is a need to supplement with micro mineral sources.
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