Mapping of Macro Minerals in Selected Summer Forages of District Kasur

Abstract

Minerals are essential for production, reproduction and health of livestock. Among feed resources, forages are considered as a cheap source of minerals for livestock. Therefore, the aim of this study was to map the mineral contents of selected summer forages of district Kasur. Four seasonal forages including maize, sorghum and millet were selected for analysis of mineral contents. A total n=400 forage samples were collected from four tehsils of district Kasur including: Kasur, Chunian, Pattoki and Kot Radha Kishan (KRK). For Sample collection GPS essential android mobile application was used to determine latitude and longitude for sample collection site. After collection, samples were processed for wet digestion. Sodium (Na) and Potassium (K) content was analyzed using flame photometer; whereas, Calcium (Ca) and Phosphorus (P) contents were analyzed by atomic absorption and spectrophotometer. The data were analyzed using one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Results of the current experiment showed that Ca concentration was higher (P<0.05) in the Chunian compared with the KRK and Pattoki in maize forage. Additionally, sorghum Ca concentration was same (P>0.05) in the entire tehsils of the Kasur. Whereas, Ca contents of millet was higher (P<0.05) in the Kasur compared with the Chunian. Concentration of P in maize and sorghum forages were not different (P>0.05) among all the tehsils. Whereas, P contents of millet was higher (P<0.05) in the KRK compared with the Chunian. In maize forage, Na contents was higher (P<0.05) in the KRK compared with the Kasur and was lower in the Pattoki and the Chunian. Na concentration of sorghum forage was greater (P<0.05) in the Pattoki compared with the other tehsils. Whereas, Na contents of millet forage was higher (P<0.05) in the Chunian than the KRK. K contents of maize and millet forages were not different (P0.05) among the all tehsils of the district Kasur. Whereas, K concentration was higher (P<0.05) in the KRK compared with the Kasur in sorghum forage. It can be concluded that concentration of Ca, P, N and K in summer forages including maize, sorghum and millet of district Kasur varied. Data can help us to identify the mineral deficiency in district Kasur and formulate area specific mineral mixtures to manage mineral status of livestock.