Effect of sewage water on mineral nutritive potential of six fodder species grown under semiarid conditions

• Published in: Saudi journal of biological sciences 2011-10, Vol.18 (4), p.317-321
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Kafeel, Ibrahim, Muhammad, Khan, Zafar Iqbal, Rizwan, Yasir, Ejaz, Abid, Fardsous, Asia, Gondal, Sumaira, Lee, Dong Jin, Al-Yemeni, Mohammed
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: animal feeding; Avena sativa; Brassica rapa subsp. oleifera; Cichorium intybus; cobalt; Composition; forage; Forage plants; irrigated farming; Irrigation water; magnesium; Medicago polymorpha; Medicago sativa; Nutrient element; Nutrition; Original; Pakistan; Ruminants; semiarid zones; shoots; Trace elements in animal nutrition; Trace elements in plant nutrition; Trifolium alexandrinum; wastewater; zinc; التغذية; نباتات الأعلاف
• ISSN: 1319-562X; 2213-7106
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2011.05.002

► We evaluated mineral nutritive potential of fodder species irrigated by sewage water. ► Mg, Zn and Co concentrations in six fodder species affected by irrigation water quality were examined. ► The information may be used under similar agro-ecological conditions. ► Mineral supplementation may be given to control diseases for optimum animal production. ► Welfare effects depend on ex-ante or ex-post assumptions about quality information. Investigation was performed to assess the effect of different sewage water treatments on the metal status of different fodder species consumed by ruminants under semi-arid conditions. Five samples each of six fodder species viz., Trifolium alexandrinum, Cichorium intybus, Avena sativa, Medicago polymorpha, Brassica campestris and Medicago sativa were collected from three fields irrigated with canal water, mix water (canal water and sewage water) and sewage water, respectively. Fodder samples were analyzed to determine the Mg, Co and Zn concentrations in shoots. Higher values of these metals were found in fodder species irrigated with sewage water relatively. Mg and Zn concentrations in all the fodder species were found to be below the critical level among all treatments. Whereas, concentrations of Co in the different fodder species were significantly different ( p < 0.05 ) and above the critical level. Consequently, ruminants feeding on these fodder species need continued mineral supplementation of Zn and Mg elements to prevent diseases caused by the deficiency of these elements, and to support optimum animal productivity.