Blood Serum Levels of Certain Mineral Elements in Lactating Buffaloes in Relation to Forages and Soil Content

Soil samples iintl samples of forages like berseem and oats grownin rabi and jowar in kharif season, from an organised farm were analysed for their mineral contents of nutritional significance in order to see their deficiency in the soil, plant and animals. Simultaneously circulatory levels of these minerals have also been estimated in the blood serum samples of lactating buffaloes. Soil analysis results indicated that contents of Ca, Zn, Mn and Cu were sufficiently high, I’ was adequate, Cd was below toxicity limit and Fe levels marginal, which did not affect the optimum plant growth. Plant analysis indicated that Ca, P and Fe contents were satisfactory, Cu in excess, Cd below toxicity limit, and Zn and Mn deficient in the three crops. The levels of Ca, P and Fe were within the normal range in the blood samples of lactating buffaloes fed these torages but Zn and Cu were low inspite of the fact that Cu was adequate in soil and was excess in forages suggesting that there is a need to supplement these minerals in ration of animal in the present situation. Cd and Mn in blood was below detection limit.