Mineral Inter-relationship among Soil, Plants and Animals in Pithoragarh District of Uttarakhand Shukla Saraswati, Tiwari D.P.*, Mondal B.C., Kumar Anil Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, G.B. Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, India. *Reprint request: Dr. D.P. Tiwari, E-mail: dptiwari4@rediffmail.com
Abstract Samples of soil, feeds and fodder and blood serum of animals (cattle and buffaloes) in four villages, two from each tehsils (Pithoragarh and Gangolihat) of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand were collected and analysed for different macro and micro mineral contents to establish the mineral correlation among soil, plants and animals. The macro and micro mineral contents in soils of Pithoragarh district were higher than their respective critical levels except Ca. Average daily macro and micro mineral intake per animal through different feed ingredients were found optimum except calcium and copper which were deficient with an average value of 11.4 g and 48.16 ppm, respectively. The soil and plants (r=−0.07) and soil and animal (r=−0.34) showed non-significant negative correlations while, significant (P<0.05) negative correlation (r=0.08) between plants and animals for Ca was observed. The correlation for phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper, cobalt, manganese and zinc was observed between soil-plants, plants-animals as well as soil-animals. The total mineral intake showed nonsignificant positive correlations for phosphorus, zinc and copper while negative correlations for calcium, magnesium, iron and manganese. Based on present study, supplementation of calcium, copper and manganese in the diet of cattle and buffaloes under existing feeding practices in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand is imperative for better health and productivity. However, further, studies could elucidate the bioavailability and strategic dietary supplementation of minerals for livestock. Top Key words Soil, Feeds and Fodder, Animal, Blood serum, Mineral, Interrelationship. Top |