Mineral Content of Forages in Coconut Triangle, Wet Zone and Dry Zone Dairy Production Regions, During South-West Monsoon in Sri Lanka

The present study was conducted to evaluate the mineral status of forages in three different dairy production zones, Coconut Triangle, Wet Zone, and Dry Zone. Forage samples were collected from Kotadeniyawa, Udugoda and Seeppukulama representing the three locations, respectively. The samples were analysed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer to determine macro and micro minerals. Levels of Ca, K, Mg and Na in forages were ranged, 0.57-19.9 gram per kilogram dry matter (gkg-1 DM), 8.03-11.47 gkg-1 DM, 0.65-0.90 gkg-1 DM and 0.01-0.60 gkg-1 DM respectively. The micro mineral content of tested samples was ranged 21.5-478 mg Fe kg-1 DM, 18.7-285 mg Mn kg-1 DM, 2.82-103 mg Cu kg-1 DM M, 0.03-0.40 mg Co kg-1 DM, 0.09-0.25 mg Se kg-1 DM, 15.8-298 mg Zn kg-1 DM and 0.42-2.64 mg Cr kg-1 DM. The results revealed that legumes contain higher levels of Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn and Cu than grasses, while grasses are rich in Zn. The tested mineral contents of forages from three different zones were significantly different (p<0.05) except Se. Level of Se in forage varieties showed no significant difference (p>0.05) among three zones for most tested varieties except in Koronivia grass (Brachiaria humidicola) and Peuro (Pueraria phaseoloides).