Arrowgrass, velvetgrass, and white clover can also have prussic acid glycosides in their leaves. However, little or no prussic acid potential is present in the fleshy part of the fruit. These trees can by hazardous around grazing areas because cattle often graze leaves for variety in their diet. Young, upper leaves have more prussic acid than lower leaves. New shoots often contain very high concentrations of prussic acid glycosides.
New shoots produced after frost can be especially hazardous.
FertiIization High application rates of nitrogen fertilizer are often needed to obtain high yields of Sorghum species. However, prussic acid production potential may also increase with high nitrogen rates. This problem is most severe on soils deficient in phosphorus. Maintain proper soil phosphorus levels according to soil test recommendations to reduce prussic acid potential in forage. Use split applications of nitrogen when the total amount exceeds 60 lbs of N per acre to decrease the risk of prussic acid toxicity.