Exploration of concentration of two macro-minerals in different wild forages in relation to nutrient requirements of livestock

Kafeel Ahmad, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Muneeba Shaheen, Farhad Mirzaei, Abrar Hussain, Fahim Arshad, Tahir Mehmood, Zahara Bibi

Department of Biological Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
Department of Botany, University of Education, Okara Campus, Okara, Pakistan.
Department of Statistics, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan.
Livestock Production Management Department, Animal Science Research Institute of Iran, Karaj, Iran;.
Science and Technological Division, University of Education, Township Campus, Lahore, Pakistan.

DOI: 10.4236/as.2013.47049                

Abstract

The composition of two macro-minerals (Ca and Na) was examined in soil and forages in two fields of District Sargodha, Pakistan. During winter and summer season, soil and forage samples were collected. In both seasons, Na was sufficient in soil and forages. As compared to the winter season, the Na and Ca levels in soil were considerably higher in summer season. In forages, the level of Ca was deficient than the level which is essential for livestock growth. In the pastures, grazing livestock may be deficient in these minerals as these pastures are not supplying sufficient minerals to the ruminants grazing therein. Supplementation of minerals is necessary to prevent the mineral imbalances and deficiency diseases in grazing livestock.

Keywords

Mineral Composition; Soil; Forage; Livestock

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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