Macro Mineral Status in Soil, Plant and Dairy Cattle in Andaman Group of Islands

Samples of soil, composite plants and cattle blood serum each totalling 102 were collected from Prothrapur, Ferrargunj, Little Andaman, Diglipur, Rangat and Mayabunder blocks of the Andaman group of Island and analysed for macro minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Na and K). The soil was deficient in Ca, P and Mg. The overall mean concentration of Mg (135.81±17.4 ppm) and P (9.42±0.59 ppm) in soil differed significantly (P<0.01) among the blocks whereas in plants the overall mean of P (2913±470 ppm) and Na (3330±323 ppm) differed significantly (P<0.01) among the blocks. The composite plant samples was found to be deficient in Mg and dairy cattle blood serum was found to be deficient in Ca, P and K across the blocks. Overall incidence (%) of deficiency in cattle blood serum was found to be 75.49, 33.33, 74.50, 100.00 and 15.69% in Ca, Mg, P, K and Na, respectively. The incidence of deficiency of Ca, P and K in cattle blood serum was found to be above 70% in Diglipur and Rangat blocks. In cattle blood serum, Ca (6.83±0.530 mg/dL), Mg (1.82±0.110 mg/dL), P (2.90±0.380 mg/dL) and Na (519.58±54.940 mg/dL) differed significantly (P<0.01) among six blocks. Significant (P<0.01; P<0.05) positive correlation was found between soil and plant for Ca, Na, K and between plant and cattle for Ca, Na. K and P whereas such correlation was obtained between soil and cattle only for Ca.