Mineral Profile of Soil, Feeds, Fodders and Blood Plasma in Southern Transition Zone of Karnataka

Abstract

Minerals (Calcium, Phosphorus, Magnesium, Copper, Zinc & Iron) content of soil, feeds/fodders and blood samples of dairy animals from Southern Transition zone of Karnataka was studied. Calcium content of soil (0.15%) was just above the critical level (0.1%) and phosphorus content (31 ppm) was below the critical level of 45–130 ppm. The straws contained low levels of calcium (0.31–0.72%) and phosphorus (0.08–0.25%). Top feeds were found to be very good sources of calcium, zinc and iron.’Oil cakes and brans contained low levels of calcium (0.36–0.41%) and high levels of phosphorus (1.15–2.25%). Some of the unconventional feeds like groundnut haulms, horsegram pods used for livestock feeding in this zone contained good quantity of Ca (1.1%) but low level of other minerals. Copper, zinc and iron were present in appreciable quantities in cultivated fodders, leguminous fodders, local grasses and top feeds. Levels of phosphorus (3.6 mg%), copper (0.31 ppm) and zinc (0.66 ppm) were low in the blood plasma of animal in this zone. More than 50% of the animal screened showed low copper and zinc in blood plasma.