Vol. 9, Issue 1, Part E (2024)

Author(s): Vivek Saharan, Pushpa Lamba, Sajjan Sihag, BS Tewatia and Sushil Kumar

Abstract: A detailed survey was carried out to estimate mineral status of hairs of lactating cattle and buffaloes in raya-pearl millet growing zone of Haryana state during Kharif season. Seven district of raya-pearl millet zone (Charkhi Dadri, Bhiwani, Jhajjar, Gurugram, Mewat, Mahendragarh and Rewari) having 42 blocks, representing all the districts of the zone were selected for the survey Thus, a total of 504 farming families were selected for the survey. Samples of hairs were collected from cattle and buffalo farmers. The hair samples of the same animals were cut from different body parts i.e., neck and switch by stainless steel scissor and packed in small polythene bags. The samples then analysed for the concentration of Zn, Cu, Mn, and Fe using Perkin Elmer Atomic Absorption Spectrometer (PinAAcle 900T). Calcium in samples was estimated by Arsenazo method (Mcleans and Hastings, 1935) and phosphorus was measured by UV phosphomolybdate method (Daly and Ertingshausen, 1972). Results revealed that all the hair samples were deficient in Zn and Cu which is indicative of their general deficiency in animal feeds while none of the hair samples were deficient in Fe.