干旱区生态环境知识资源中心

A survey study was conducted in Bikaner district to assess the mineral content in feeds and fodders of camel at farmer door by collecting samples randomly from 8 villages of 5 Tehsils of Bikaner to identify excess/deficiency of minerals. Mostly, camels are fed by product of crop grown by farmer at their own fields such as cluster bean straw (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), groundnut straw (Arachis hypogea), moth (Phaseolus acontifolius) and gram straws (Cicer arictinum). The ash content in these feeds range 4.25-19.56%. The average calcium content (1.03 +/- 0.07) was higher in straws in comparison to phosphorus (0.67 +/- 0.01). The cobalt content of feedstuff was marginal, to meet the requirement of animals (0.50 ppm) whereas, Zn and Mn content were consistently low in all feed stuffs and need to be supplemented in the total ration. The Cu content was on borderline in straws and tree leaves (Avg. 9.64 +/- 0.23 arid 9.6-12.5). Iron content was higher in all the tested feeds, ranging from 165.82 to 194.14 ppm in different feed samples. Ca: P ratio is low as against required ratio of 2:1. Looking into the macro and micro minerals content feeds and fodders grazed/ browsed by camels, there is need to supplement Zn, Mn and Cu through specific mineral salt or with green fodders which are comparatively better and cheaper source could be a practical approach to overcome the deficiencies.