title: The status of selected minerals in soil, forage and beef cattle tissues in a semi-arid region of Zimbabwe.
abstract: Five districts in the Matabeleland region, an arid western area of Zimbabwe, were investigated for the status of Ca, P, Na, Cu and Zn in soil, forage and cattle during the wet and dry seasons over a period of one year. The cattle came from the natural grazing lands and were not supplemented at the time of sampling. Some deficiencies in soil Zn and P were found in the districts of Lupane and Bulilimamangwe, respectively. Dry season soil Ca, Cu and P concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than rainy season values owing to leaching in all five districts. Most forage samples had mineral concentrations below the critical levels known to be adequate for animal requirements. Forage levels of Ca, Na. Cu and Zn significantly increased (p < 0.05) with advancing maturity, while P significantly decreased (p < 0.05) in almost all the districts. Marked deficiencies of minerals were found in cattle tissues and these levels followed the seasonal trend seen in the forage. These results indicate that cattle in Matebeleland are deficient in P, Ca, Cu and Zn and that grazing areas in the region cannot provide adequate levels of the five minerals studied.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Specialist Services, Makoholi Research Station, Private Bag 9182, Masvingo, Zimbabwe. tndebele@yahoo.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ndebele
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mtimuni
authors.forename: I D T
authors.initials: ID
authors.lastname: Mpofu
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Makuza
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mumba
mesh_terms: D000003:Abattoirs; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism*; D003300:Copper / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency; D008903:Minerals / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis*; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency; D006109:Poaceae / Q000737:chemistry*; D012621:Seasons; D012987:Soil / Q000032:analysis*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology; D015032:Zinc / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000172:deficiency
chemical_list: D008903:Minerals; D012987:Soil; D010758:Phosphorus; D003300:Copper; D015032:Zinc; D002118:Calcium