Abstract

VIEYRA-ALBERTO, Rodolfo et al. Mineral profile and interrelationship in water, forage and blood serum of beef cattle during two seasons in the Huasteca Potosina, México. Agrociencia [online]. 2013, vol.47, n.2, pp.121-133. ISSN 2521-9766.

In the Huasteca Potosina, Mexico, there have been no comprehensive diagnostics on minerals in dual-purpose cattle grazing throughout the year, so the aim of this study was to determine the concentrations and interrelationships of minerals in water, forage and serum of dual-purpose cattle. For this purpose, we collected 84 samples of water, 99 samples of forage and 463 samples of serum from cattle in 17 production units of the Huasteca Potosina, during the wet season (August and September) and dry season (April and May) of 2008. The concentration of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na, Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn were measured in water, forage and serum. We used a completely randomized experimental design, and analyzed data with the general linear model. The effects of production unit (PU), season (S), cattle age (CE) and their interactions were evaluated. A higher (p <0.01) concentration of Ca, Mg, K, Na, Fe and Zn was found in water in the dry season than in the wet season. In forage, the concentrations of Ca, P, Mg, K and Zn were deficient in both seasons. In serum, the content of Ca, Mg, K, Na and Cu was higher (p<0.05) in the dry season than in the wet season; and in young cattle there was more P than in adult cattle. The UP*S interaction affected (p< 0.01) the content of Ca, P, Mg, K, Na and Cu in serum; the interaction UP*CE influenced (p<0.01) the concentration of Ca; and cattle showed deficiencies in Ca, Na, Cu, Fe and Zn during the rainy season. With the exception of P in dry season (R²=0.64; p<0.01), R² was higher than 0.90 (p< 0.01) to predict serum concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na and Cu in the two seasons, and P, Fe and Zn in the wet season. Cattle of the Huasteca Potosina have mineral imbalances, especially during the rainy season; and the grazing areas do not provide adequate levels of minerals to meet their needs.

Keywords : minerals; cattle; forages; season; Huasteca Potosina.