PJB-2005-110
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.
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