Macro-mineral status of soil, feed and animal in Chhattisgarh state (India)

The plains, plateau and hills of Chhattisgarh region was chosen for evaluating the macro mineral status of goats during the rainy and dry season in terms of mineral concentrations in soils, feeds, blood plasma and faeces on rural and urban farms. Soil samples were collected from entire Chhattisgarh region and were analysed for Ca, P, Mg, Na and K. Blood samples from graded Jammunapari and local desi non-descript goats were collected for analysis of Ca, P, Mg and K elements. Both the blood and bone samples were collected during the rainy and dry season for finding out the seasonal differences. The results indicated wide variation in the concentrations of minerals of different areas of the state. Available feeds in the area consist of pasture, hay, and rice straws, wheat, local grass, berseem, maize and jowar. Pasture grass and other feeds were found to be deficient in Na, P and Mg in relation to dietary requirements. The analysis of blood plasma for graded Jammunapari does revealed that during rainy season the Ca, P, Mg and K levels were 11.22, 4.73, 2.88 and 15.88 mg/100 ml, respectively. Whereas during dry season the same were 14.66, 5.22, 2.88 and 16.44 mg/100 ml, respectively. Results suggested significant (P<0.01) differences in macro elements between rainy and dry seasons. Also there were significant difference between macro elements level (P<0.01) in does and kids was found. Faecal analysis revealed that about 80 per cent of the animals were deficient in Na. Blood plasma of local desi non-descript does revealed during rainy season for Ca, P, Mg and K were 11.22, 5.66, 2.66 and 17.77 mg/100 ml, respectively. Whereas during dry season they were 13.44, 6.00, 3.00 and 16.44 mg/100 ml, respectively. Results suggested significant (P<0.01) differences in macro elements between rainy and dry seasons. Also there was significant differences between macro elements level (P<0.01) in does and kids. Wide variations in the minerals content of soils and lack of significant correlations among soil, pasture and blood plasma indicated that soil and pasture analyses are not reliable in assessing macro mineral status of grazing goat in this environment. Analyses of bone and blood for Ca and P, blood for Mg and faeces for Na appeared to provide better indices.