Levels of Copper, Molybdenum, Sulphur, Zinc, Selenium, Iron and Manganese in Native Pasture Plants from a Mountain Area in Southern Norway

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Abstract
The contents of copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), sulphur (S), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn) and the Cu/Mo ratio were determined in different native plant species from a mountain area of central southern Norway. The overall mean values and ranges (mg/kg DM) were Cu: 6.0, 0.9–27.2; Mo: 0.25, 0.01–3.57; Zn: 77, 8–320; Se: 0.05, less than 0.01–0.32; Fe: 208, 15–2245; Mn: 338, 31–3784; S: (g/100 g DM) 0.20, 0.03–0.56; Cu/Mo: 79, 1–795. Levels of the individual elements showed considerable variability, both between and within plant groups. Mineral contents were compared with the established requirements for sheep and cattle, the following conclusion being drawn: Most of the mountain pasture plants investigated were deficient in copper and marginally low and partly deficient in molybdenum. The Cu:o ratios were generally high, and may explain the occurrence of chronic copper poisoning in sheep after grazing such pastures. All plant groups except lichens and sedges were found to contain inadequate amounts of selenium. The levels of zinc, sulphur, iron and manganese were found to be adequate for ruminants.