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A possible effect of cyanogenic glucoside in sorghum on animal requirements for sulphur

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2009

J. L. Wheeler
Affiliation:
GSIRO Division of Animal Physiology, Pastoral Research Laboratory, Armidale, N.S.W., 2350
D. A. Hedges
Affiliation:
GSIRO Division of Animal Physiology, Pastoral Research Laboratory, Armidale, N.S.W., 2350
A. R. Till
Affiliation:
GSIRO Division of Animal Physiology, Pastoral Research Laboratory, Armidale, N.S.W., 2350

Summary

A significant proportion of the sulphur (S) ingested by animals grazing Sorghum spp. may be utilized to detoxify hydrogen cyanide liberated after the forage has been ingested. In 1973 young sheep grazing a sorghum x sudangrass hybrid were given access to salt licks containing < 0.1 % (control) or 18 % S; in two experiments the live-weight responses to S were 32% (P < 0.05) and 18% (P > 0.05). In 1974 sheep grazing forage fertilized with 84 kg N/ha and given access to licks containing 8.5% S gained 32 % more live weight than controls with 0.1 % licks. Those with S on forage fertilized with 168 kg N/ha gained 88 % more (P < 0.01). Gypsum applied as a fertilizer (0 or 21 kg S/ha) did not affect the response.

Type
Short Note
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1975

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References

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