TITLE:
Exploration of concentration of two macro-minerals in different wild forages in relation to nutrient requirements of livestock
AUTHORS:
Kafeel Ahmad, Zafar Iqbal Khan, Muneeba Shaheen, Farhad Mirzaei, Abrar Hussain, Fahim Arshad, Tahir Mehmood, Zahara Bibi
KEYWORDS:
Mineral Composition; Soil; Forage; Livestock
JOURNAL NAME:
Agricultural Sciences,
Vol.4 No.7,
July
18,
2013
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 bedeficient 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.