Mineral Profile of Soil, Feeds and Fodder and Buffaloes in Western Agroclimatic Zone of Vidarbha Udar S.A., Chopde Shital, Dhore R.N.* Department of Animal Nutrition Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Science Akola-444 104, India. *Reprint request: Dr.R.N. Dhore, Tel: +91-724-258643, 258664; Fax: +91-724-258684.
Abstract Mineral status of soil, feeds and fodder and buffaloes in western agroclimatic zone of Vidarbha region of India was studied. Available Ca (0.76±0.003%), P (127.5±22.5 ppm), and Na (0.05±0.02%), levels in soil were adequate but 50% of soil sample analysed were deficient in Zn (0.60±0.058 ppm) where as the K (0.35±0.04%), Cu (3.37±0.24 ppm) and Mn (17.43±1.76 ppm) content was higher. The Ca was deficient in cotton seed cake (0.23±0.04) and cotton seeds (0.18±0.01). The P deficiency was observed in sorghum straw (0.12±0.013%), arhar straw (0.09±0.06%), gram straw (0.14±0.012%) and soybean straw (0.10±.008%). The K concentration in cotton tree leaves was higher (0.74±0.04%) as compared to other feeds and fodders. The feeds and fodders are rich source of Cu (34.5–40.5 ppm), Mn (32.92–68.03 ppm) and Fe (116.66–203.75 ppm) but deficient in Zn (15.53–27.04 ppm) and Na (0.02–0.16%).The mean serum minerals’ concentration were within normal range except for the Zn (0.26±0.01 μg/ml). It was observed that the buffaloes in the Akola district were Zn deficient which is directly correlated to concentration of zinc in soil, feeds and fodder. Top Key words Buffaloes, soil, feeds and fodder, minerals. Top |