MINERAL CONTENT OF FORAGE PLANTS FROM THE REINDEER PRESERVE, NORTHWEST TERRITORIES

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Abstract
Quantitative analyses for copper, molybdenum, iron, manganese, zinc, magnesium, and potassium were completed for 23 samples of eight forage species collected from the Reindeer Preserve, Northwest Territories. Cladonia mitis, C. rangiferina, Cetraria nivalis, and Eriophorum vaginatum were comparatively low in copper, averaging 1.5 ppm. Although concentrations of iron varied greatly, all samples exceeded the recommended minimum for domestic ruminants. Except for Cladonia mitis and C. rangiferina, the average manganese concentration of the species exceeded the recommended minimum. Concentrations of zinc varied widely with an average level of 179 ppm in Salix glauca and Betula glandulosa whereas the average level was 12 ppm in lichens and Arctagrostis latifolia. The levels of potassium and magnesium in lichens were.07 and.04%, respectively, which were low compared with the other forages. In view of the levels of copper and zinc found, which are considered inadequate for domestic ruminants, on-site tests with copper and zinc supplementation seem desirable.

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