Minerals deficiency diagnosis in grazing cattle of Uasin Gishu District, Kenya
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Date
2012-11-28
Authors
Nyambaka, H. N.
Shisia, K. S.
Jumba, I.O.
Oduor, F D O
Ngure, V.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology
Abstract
Grazing cattle in the tropics and especially in Uasin Gishu district depend on a variety of plant species for their mineral supply. One area of concern is that the grazing cattle may be experiencing mineral imbalances due to lack of proper mineral mapping of the region to ascertain the levels of imbalance. A study conducted in the Uasin Gishu region revealed severe deficiencies of mainly Cu (3.30 ± 0.90) and Zn (6.70 ± 0.40) in soils, the elements Na (1.00 ± 0.39), K (11.80 ± 5.00), Ca (0.57 ± 0.19), Mg (1.35 ± 0.72),P (6.34 ± 3.22), Fe (56.00 ± 0.53), Cu (5.32 ± 2.84), Zn (19.50 ± 8.20) in pasture species and the elements Fe (2.43 ± 1.53), Mn (0.26 ± 0.14 ), Cu (0.60 ± 0.17), Mg (0.02 ± 0.01) in animal blood. The study recommends immediate mineral supplementation schemes to grazing cattle in the region and encouragement of certain pasture species in the region.
Description
DOI:10.5897/JECE12.002
Keywords
Grazing cattle, mineral imbalances, supplementation schemes, severe deficiencies
Citation
Journal of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology V 12/2012; 4:229-233.