A comprehensive study on the mineral profiles of soil water feedstuffs and animals and feeding systems in animals of chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh

Abstract

A study was conducted to assess the mineral profile of soil, water, feedstuffs and plasma of crossbred animals as well as feeding systems traditionally adopted by the farmers in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh. The survey results indicated that, soils in the district were deficient in Ca (30 %), P (32%), Cu (30 %) and Zn (22%). The dry roughages were deficient in Ca (0.28 0.32%) and moderately deficient in P (0.01 to 0.24%). The Copper (4.6 to 7.7 mg/Kg) and Zinc (15.2 to 31.3 mg/Kg) content of dry forages showed marginal deficiency, while adequate to excess in Na, K, Mg, Mn, Fe and Co. Green roughages were moderate sources of Ca (0.38 to 0.59%), deficient to moderately rich in P (0.09 to 0.91%), while Cu (2.1 9.7 mg/Kg) and Zn (18.1 30.7 mg/Kg) deficiency was observed in some (20-25%) of the cultivated fodders. The Mn (27.8 to 95.0 mg/Kg) content was moderately deficient to rich, Fe content (117.8 978.6 mg/Kg) was very high and Co content (0.02 0.68 mg/Kg) was adequate. But local grasses and tree foliage were observed to be good source of all minerals. Among the concentrates brans (Rice and Wheat) were rich in P (1.23 to 1.69%) but low in Cu (2.0 4.2 mg/Kg) and moderately deficient in Zn (30.3 75.8 mg/Kg). Grains contained low amount of Cu and Zn and moderately deficient to adequate in other minerals. The protein supplements were rich in all minerals. Home made concentrate mixtures and compounded cattle feeds were adequate to moderately rich in Ca (0.26 1.03%), P (0.68 1.42%), Mg (0.08 to 1.02%), Cu (11.6 23.5 mg/Kg), Zn (30.3 103.8 mg/Kg), Mn (40.7 114.5 mg/Kg), Fe (62.7 1260.0 mg/Kg) and Co (0.21 0.58 mg/Kg). newline