Nutrient and Potentially Toxic Metal Concentrations in Wheat and Rice Fodder from the World Renowned Ramsar Site

The present study was conducted to analyze the contents of various macronutrients, micronutrients and potentially toxic metals (PTMs) in wheat and rice shoot samples collected from villages around Harike wetland, India. In wheat shoots, levels of most macronutrients and in rice shoots levels of Na, S and P were found to be below the normal requirement levels. Among the micronutrients, the contents of Cu, Co, Fe and Mn were found to be higher and those of Se were lower than the normal requirement levels in both wheat and rice shoots. The analysis of PTMs revealed that the contents of As and Cr were above the permissible limits in some shoot samples. Statistically significant positive correlation pointed towards common sources and absorption routes of these elements. Overall, the shoot samples analyzed in present study are not suitable as a fodder source alone and must be supplemented with other fodder sources.