Animal Health Problems Caused by Silicon and Other Mineral Imbalances

Abstract

Plant growth depends upon C, H, 0, and at least 13 mineral\nelements. Six of these (N, K, Ca, Mg, P, and S) macro-elements\nnormally occur in plants at concentrations greater than 1,000 mg\nkg- 1 level. The remaining micro-elements (B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo,\nand Zn) normally occur in plants at concentrations less than 50\nmg kg". Trace amounts of other elements (e.g., Co, Na, Ni, and\nSi) may be beneficial for plants. Silicon concentrations may\nrange upwards to 50.000 mg kg' in some forage grasses. Mineral\nelements required by animals include the macro-elements Ca, Cl,\nK, Mg, N, Na, P, and S; the trace or micro-elements Co, Cu, Fe,\nI, Mn, Mo, Se, and Zn; and the ultra-trace elements Cr, Li, and\nNi. When concentrations of these elements in forages get 'out of\nwhack' their bioavailability to animals may be jeopardized.\nInteractions of K x Mg x Ca, Ca x P, Se x S, and Cu x Mo x S are\nbriefly mentioned here because more detail will be found in the\nliterature. Limited published information is available on Si, so\nwe have provided more detail. Silicon provides physical support\nto plants and may reduce susceptibility to pests. However, Si may\nhave negative effects on digestibility and contribute to urinary\ncalculi in animals.