Mineral status of some commonly available trees and shrubs in rangeland

The study was carried out to assess the mineral status of some commonly available shrubs (Helicteres isora, Ehretia aspera, Zizyphus xylopyrus, Securinega virosa, Desmanthus virgatus, Dichrostachys cinerea, Acacia catechu, Grewia optiva and Sesbania sesban) and tree leaves (Azadirachta indica, Moras alba, Ficus religiosa, Hardwickia binata, Albizia lebbek, Derris indica, Dalbergia sissoo and Acacia nilotica) in the rangeland. Shrubs and tree leaves were adequate in calcium (0.92–4.37%), magnesium (0.15–0.92%) and potassium (0.46–2.07%), while inadequate in sodium (0.01–0.08%) and phosphorus (0.09–0.26%). Trace mineral status revealed adequate copper (6.05 - 24.45 ppm), cobalt (0.05–0.70 ppm) and molybdenum (1.05–4.20 ppm) and high iron (269.5 -940 ppm) content. Range shrubs were moderate source of manganese while poor source of zinc except Ehretia aspera, Zizyphus xylopyrus, Securinega virosa and Acacia catechu which were eich in zinc (40–90.2 ppm). Since, shrubs and tree leaves are deficient in minerals like phosphorus, sodium, manganese and zinc, so need to be supplemented in the diet of ruminants, while feeding these shrubs and tree leaves.