Zinc and manganese status of soils, forages and cattle in Shahrekord district

To determine zinc and manganese concentration in different types of soil and plant in Shahrekord district. 80 composite soil (before cultivation) and 80 related plants (after full vegetative growing) and 190 serum samples (calf, dry and dairy cattle) were collected and zinc and manganese concentrations were measured by atomic absorption. Plants included alfalfa, clover, oat and wheat.Average and standard deviation of data’s were determined and Correlation coefficient between zinc and manganese concentration of soil and its plant were estimated by Excel program.Soil zinc levels under alfalfa, clover, oat and wheat farms were and corresponding concentrations in plants were dry matter, respectively. Zinc serum concentration in bovine species at different physiological status were as follows; calf, dry cow, and dairy cattle,. Soil manganese levels under alfalfa, clover, oat and wheat farms were and corresponding concentrations in plants were dry matter, respectively. Manganese serum concentration in bovine species at different physiological status was as follows; calf, dry cow, and dairy cattle,. Result indicated that in all studied areas zinc concentration in soil and its plant were lower than that normal range. But bovine serum concentration of zinc indicated that animals could uptake zinc requirements from ration in Shahrekord district. But results indicated that in all studied area manganese concentration in soil and their plants were favorable. It could be concluded that manganese deficiency is not a major problem in Shahrekord district. On the other hand significant positive and negative correlation between soil manganese and its related clover and oat were observed respectively. Bovine serum concentration of manganese indicated that animals could their manganese requirements from ration and high level of ration manganese could not alter the absorbability of this mineral by animals. This research project has been supported by Grant No. NRCI 4297.