Trace element status of crossbred cattle from sub-mountainous belt of Punjab in relation to soil and fodder

An attempt was made to evaluate the trace element status of crossbred cattle from sub-mountainous belt of Ropar, Hoshiarpur and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab during July to February. A total of 82 blood samples from crossbred cattle of different age groups, 65 hair, 26 fodder (leguminous and non-leguminous) and 22 soil samples were collected and analyzed for various trace elements. The average values of Cu, Mo, Fe, Zn, Co and Mn in plasma were 12.08 +/- 0.27 mumol/l 0.237 +/- 0.018 ppm, 123.79 +/- 4.97 mumol/l, 32.07 +/- 1.64 mumol/l 12.20 +/- 0.50 mumol/l and 3.81 +/- 0.24 mumol/l, respectively. Based on plasma analysis sub-clinical deficiency of Cu and excess Mo were observed with respective prevalence rates of 25.60 and 26.82%. Marked variation in the mineral content of leguminous and non-leguminous fodder samples was observed which influenced trace element status of animal during different seasons. Soils of area had normal levels of Cu, Mn, Co, and Mo, however, Zn was deficient in some of the areas surveyed.