Evaluation of macro, micro, and toxic minerals in Dates fodder in Basra, Southern Iraq‏

Mineral concentrations in plants are affected by a number of factors, which turn affect the amounts available directly or indirectly to animals, so concentration some nutrients may be insufficient for needs animals. The article aimed evaluate wide variety chemical elements date fodder often used feed cows, buffaloes, and sheep Basra Governorate, Southern Iraq. In addition, it establishes acceptability element dates, included macro-minerals, micro-elements, hazardous metals. was prepared digested then all minerals were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) equipment determine feed. Where macro-minerals (calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulfur) micro-elements (iron, copper, nickel, selenium, chromium, tin, silicon, vanadium, molybdenum, while toxic (aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, uranium, lead). Most major minor had low values compared critical level determined their presence fodders, as did not reach maximum tolerable(4.5% 40 ppm micro-elements) much less than minimum limit(<0.06 <0.20ppm micro-elements), whereas chosen dates acceptable risk index fodder(100 mg Kg-1). current study helps farmers Governorate understanding mineral nutritional cattle relying significantly on this type fodder.