MICRO MINERAL DISTRIBUTION ON FIBER FRACTION OF FORAGES IN SOUTH SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the concentration of micro minerals (Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and Se) of forages and their distribution in fiber fraction (Neutral Detergent Fiber/NDF and Acid Detergent Fiber/ADF) in South Sumatra during dry and rainy season. Seven species of commonly forages namely Axonopus compressus, Panicum maximum, Pennisetum purpuphoides, Leucaena leucocephala, Centrocema pubescens, Calopogonium mucunoides and Acacia mangium were collected at native pasture during rainy and dry seasons. Micro minerals concentration in the forages samples and fiber fractions were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma emission spectrometer (SPS 7700, Seiko instruments Inc., Chiba, Japan). The results showed that micro minerals concentration of forages and their distribution in fiber fraction varied among species and season. In general, the concentration of micro minerals was slightly higher in rainy season compared to dry season either in grass or legumes forages. The concentration of Fe and Mn in grass were above the critical level, while 33.3% of evaluated grass were deficient in Zn, 100% of those were efficient in Cu and 16,7 % were deficient in Se. Data on legume forages show that 75% of legumes were deficient in Zn and Mn, 62.5% deficient in Cu and 50% deficient in Se. There was no species of legume deficient in Fe. Distribution of micro minerals in NDF and ADF were also significantly affected by species and season and depends on the kinds of element measured. Generally, micro minerals were associated in fiber fractions much higher during dry season compared to rainy season. Iron (Fe) and Selenium (Se) in forages were the highest elements associated in NDF and ADF, while the lowest was found in Copper (Cu). Keywords: Micro Mineral, Forages, Season, Fiber Fraction