Status of major and trace elements in grazing cattle and buffaloes of red laterite and new alluvial zone of West Bengal

Abstract

A survey was carried out in the red laterite and new alluvial zone of West Bangal to compare the status of major (Ca and P) and trace (Fe, Cu, Mu and Zu) elements in grazing cattle and buffaloes. Concentrations of Fe, Cu, Mu and Zu in soil were above the minimum critical concentrations in both the agroclimatic zones. However, 100% of the samples of paddy straw were deficient in Ca, P and Mn in both the zones. Cu defieiency was also widerpread in various concentrate feeds, paddy straw and green roughage. Plasma concentrations of these major and trace elements did not indicate dificiency either in cattle or in buffaloes. No significant difference could be observed between cattle and buffaloes in the plasma concentrations of these mineral elements excep Mn, which was slightly higher (P<0.05) in cattle. Plasma Fe was lower (P<0.05) in both cattle and buffaloes of zone 2 and this might be because of the lower(P<0.05) Fe of feeds and fodder of that particular zone. Liver Cu was below the minimum critical concentration in both cattle and buffaloes in eigher of the zones indicating deficiency of Cu in the grazing livestock. The study revealed that emphasis should be given on strategic  supplementation of specific mineral elements to augment the productivity of graszing cattle and buffaloes.