Authors : Zhang Jin-Hua, Zhang Yu, Shen Xiao-Yun, Song Ming-Xi and Shang Yi-Shun
Abstract: To assess the impact of N fertilization on contents of mineral elements in herbage and the effect of increased forage S on the copper metabolism of grazing Guizhou black goats, study was conducted during the summer grazing season (2010, 2011 and 2012). Pasture replicates (30 ha; n = 3/treatment) received the same fertilizer treatment in each growing season, consisting of: 100 kg N/ha from quickly available nitrogen, 100 kg N/ha from ammonium nitrate, 100 kg N/ha from ammonium sulfate and control (no fertilizer). Forage sampling was collected at 60 days intervals following fertilization (10 samples per pasture) for Cu, Mo, Mn, Se, Fe, Zn, Ca and P. To determine the effect of fertilizer treatment on mineral metabolism in grazing guizhou black goats, liver and blood samples were collected at the start and end of the study period in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Ammonium sulfate fertilization increased (p<0.01) forage S concentration. Plant tissue N concentrations were increased by N fertilization, regardless of source in 2010, 2011 and 2012. Guizhou black goats grazing S fertilization pastures had lower (p<0.05) liver and blood Cu concentrations at the end of the study period in 2010, 2011 and 2012, compared with urea, ammonium nitrate and control. Nominal increases in forage in vitro organic matter digestibility were realized by fertilization, regardless of N source in each year.
Zhang Jin-Hua, Zhang Yu, Shen Xiao-Yun, Song Ming-Xi and Shang Yi-Shun, 2013. Effect of Nitrogenous Fertilizer Fertilization on Mineral Metabolism in Grazing Guizhou Black Goats. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 12: 1362-1366.