Variation in soil and forage minerals over two grazing seasons at different sampling periods in a semiarid region of pakistan

A two seasonal study was conducted to determine the macro mineral status of goats’ grazed forages and soil in southern Punjab, Pakistan. Soil and forage samples were collected fortnightly for two seasons. Sampling period fluctuations were observed in all soil and forage minerals for both seasons. Seasonal effects were observed in calcium, magnesium, and potassium for forages and in potassium and magnesium for soil. Soil Ca and Mg level were found to be above the critical levels and likely to be adequate for the normal growth of plants growing therein, whereas soil K and Na were in marginal deficient levels during summer and moderate deficient level of soil Na during winter. The levels of K and Mg in soil were supra optimal and Ca and Na low during winter than those during summer. Forages contained severe deficient level of K and moderate deficient level of Na during the winter season, whereas marginal deficient level of Ca and Mg and severe deficient levels of K and Na were found during summer but forage Ca and Mg levels during winter were adequate for the requirements of ruminants.