Mineral Content in Soils and Pasture Grasses at ASAS Farm, Iringa, Tanzania

Abstract

The assessment of mineral  content  in  soil  and  pasture  grasses  was carried out in Iringa  Tanzania  to  establish  the  existence  of  any  particular mineral deficiency  or  excess on  the farm. The following levels of soil minerals, sodium (Na): 2.28% and 3.3Q%; potassium (K): 0.47% and 0.36%; calcium (Ca): 2.26% and 5.2%; magnesium (Mg): 0.61% and 1.41%; manganese (Mn): 56.8 and 42.6 ppm; copper (Cu): 1.63 and 2.19 ppm and iron (Fe): 130 and 120 ppm were observed during the dry and wet season respectively. These were considered to be adequate sources for grazing animals. Soil zinc (Zn) was marginal in dry season (1.25 ppm) but was below critical levels (0.23 ppm) in wet season. In case of pasture grasses the following minerals were adequate in dry and wet season respectively, potassium (K) (0.67% and 1.89%); Na (0.13% and 0.35%); Ca (0.38% and 0.64%); Mn (93.7 and 87.8 ppm) and Fe (400 and 450 ppm). Whereas Cu (6.8 and 7.6 ppm), Zn (19.2 and 23.8 ppm) and Mg (0.15% and 0.17%) were below critical levels in dry and wet season respectively. Pasture phosphorous (P) was below critical levels (0.18%) in wet season but high in dry season (0.31%). The concentration of minerals in the soil did not correspond well with the mineral concentration in pastures. It was recommended to analyse the mineral concentrations in the animal tissues to ascertain the mineral status in the farm so as to establish a strategy for mineral supplementation