Advances in Animal and Veterinary Sciences

Research Article
Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci. 3 (8): 418 - 421
http://dx.doi.org/10.14737/journal.aavs/2015/3.8.418.421
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Zafar Iqbal Khan1*, Muhammad Ibrahim2, Kafeel Ahmad1, Muhammad Sher3, Hazoor Ahmad3, Abrar Hussain4, Fahim Arshad5, Vincenzo Tufarelli6, Shafaqat Ali7, Eugenio Cazzato8

1Department of Biological Sciences: 7Department of Chemistry, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; 2Department of Agricultural Environment, National Academy of Agricultural Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea; 3Department of Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Government College University Faisalabad, Pakistan; 4Science and Technology Division, University of Education, Township Campus, Lahore, Pakistan; 5Department of Botany, University of Education, Okara Campus, Okara, Pakistan; 6Department DETO, Section of Veterinary Science and Animal Production, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Valenzano, Italy; 8Department of Agro-Environmental and Territorial Sciences, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, Bari, Italy.

*Correspondence | Zafar Iqbal Khan, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan; Email: zikhan11@gmail.com

Abstract
Micro-minerals (iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and cobalt) content of some wild legumes and grasses from arid environment of central Punjab (Pakistan) was evaluated during the rainy and dry seasons. The micro-mineral contents of legumes were significantly higher in dry season than rainy season except iron. Legume contents of all minerals except iron were higher during dry season compared to those found during the rainy season under the same environment. Grass forages contained higher values of manganese, zinc, and copper during rainy season and the reverse was true for grasses iron and cobalt during the dry season. Results indicated that legumes were the best sources of manganese and zinc than grasses during both seasons, and grasses had higher amounts of copper and cobalt than legumes while both legumes and grasses were at par with respect to iron. All mean mineral forage values except iron at both seasons were below the critical levels required for ruminants for their growth and reproductive aspects, thus mineral supplements are warranted to alleviate the problems of deficiency in livestock grazing there in legume and grass pastures.

Keywords | Seasonality, Toxicity, Micro-minerals, Forage