Beef cattle mineral nutrition in the Brazilian Pantanal. III. Macronutrients survey on the lower Piquiri
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1678-3921.pab1989.v24.16544Keywords:
native pasture, macroelements, calcium, phosphorus ratio, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium.Abstract
Analytical results of soil, forage plant and cattle bone samples, taken on three physiognomic units ("campo cerrado" or savana grassland, "campo limpo" or open grassland, and "cerrado" woodland/forest), are reported for the lower Piquiri in the Brazilian Pantanal. Average soil pH was 5.5; average levels of exchangeable cations were Al = 89 ppm, Ca = 142 ppm, Mg = 64 ppm, K = 58 ppm and Na = 5 ppm; and available P = 13 ppm. In the native forage plants P, K, Ca and Mg levels (mean) were 0.21%, 1.52%, 0.21% and 0.18%, respectively. Average concentrations of Ca, Mg and P in bone, in May, were 39.3%, 0.65% and 17.8%. The data do not evidentiate serious mineral deficiencies, however important components of cattle diet presented Ca: P ratio of c. 0.7:1.0.
