COPPER IN SOILS, PLANTS, AND RUMINANT ANIMAL NUTRITION WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA

Copper (Cu) is not only essential as a component of a number of differ ent plant enzymes and necessary for the activity of several specific e nzymes, it is also an important constituent of blood proteins necessar y for the normal physiological functioning of the animal body. The rol e of Cu in agricultural production has been documented by several auth ors and these reviews mainly relate to work in the temperate regions. This review has attempted to extract all available information in sub- Saharan Africa (SSA) on the role of Cu on the soil, plant and animal s ystems. It discusses the content of Cu in the soil and plant, its role and biochemistry and methods of analysis with special reference to re search in SSA. The need to maintain adequate levels of Cu levels in th e soil and forage crops for ruminant animal consumption is emphasised. Factors such as age, physiological state, breed, dry matter intake an d source of Cu which influence dietary Cu requirements of ruminant ani mals were reviewed. Deficiency and toxicity cases of Cu in animals hav e been diagnosed in many SSA countries. Although there are several way s of correcting Cu deficiency and toxicity problems, success depends o n the ability to identify the underlying causes. The interaction of Cu with other minerals, in particular molybdenum (Mo) and sulfur (S), is an important factor determining whether a deficiency or toxicity is ' 'simple'' or ''conditioned''.