Abstract

DOMINGUEZ-VARA, Ignacio A.  and  HUERTA-BRAVO, Maximino. Mineral concentration and interrelationship in soil, forage and blood serum of sheep during two seasons in the Toluca Valley, Mexico. Agrociencia [online]. 2008, vol.42, n.2, pp.173-183. ISSN 2521-9766.

To identify mineral imbalances and their interrelationships, a sampling was made of soil, forage, water and blood of lambs and ewes, in June and October 1991, in six sheep production units (PU) of the valley of Toluca, México. The mineral content in the soil and forage was affected (p<0.05) by the PU, time period and their interaction. The soils were acid (pH=5.9), deficient in P, Zn and Cu; adequate in Mg, K and organic matter; abundant in Ca and Fe. The forages were deficient in Mg, Zn and Cu, adequate in Ca and K and high in P and Fe. Mineral concentrations in the blood serum were different (p<0.05) among PU, time periods and ages; there was also effect (p<0.05) of the interactions. The blood serum was low in Cu, and adequate in Ca, Mg, K and Zn, and high in P and Fe. Prediction equations were developed to calculate the content of Zn and Cu in lambs and of P, Ca and Cu in ewes. It is concluded that there are mineral imbalances, especially in June; the lack of Cu in sheep, forage and soil was serious and was associated to the excess of Fe.

Keywords : Forage; minerals; sheep; soil; blood serum.

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