Mineral Status of Soils, Feeds, Fodders and Animals in Coastal Agri-Eco Zone of Karnataka Gowda N.K.S.*, Prasad C.S., Ramana J.V., Shivaramaiah M.T. Animal Nutrition Division National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology Bangalore-560 030, India. *Reprint request: Dr. N.K.S. Gowda, Tel.: +91-80-5711303/5711164; Fax: 91-80-5711420; E-mail: gowda@nainpbng.kar.nic.in
Abstract Mineral (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc and iron) status of soil, feeds/fodders and blood samples of animals from coastal zone of Karnataka was studied. Extractable Ca (0.15%) and Mg (0.02%) level in soil was slightly higher than the critical level but the levels of P, Cu, Zn and Fe in soil was much higher than the critical levels. Paddy straw which is the major roughage source in this zone contained high silica (10.92–11.15%) and was low in most of the minerals estimated. Cultivated green fodders and local grasses were moderate to good sources of Ca, Mg, Cu, Zn and Fe. Tree leaves and top feeds contained higher amount of Ca (0.8–1.70%), Zn (82–110 ppm) and Fe (1480–2710 ppm). Wheat bran and rice polish contained high P (1.5–2.05%) and Fe (457–668 ppm). Copper (0.57 ppm) and zinc (0.91 ppm) were low in the blood plasma of the animals in this zone. About 40% of the animals screened showed lower plasma Cu and Zn values. However, the blood levels of Ca, P, Mg and Fe were within the normal limits. Supplementing green fodders, top feeds which are good sources of Cu and Zn could be a practical approach to overcome the deficiency and/or providing region specific mineral mixture could be an alternative approach. Top Key words Minerals, Soil, Feeds, Fodders, Blood. Top |