C Kathirvelan, Dharmar Manimaran, P Vasanthakumar, S Banupriya, D Jayanthi and V Meenalochani

A study was conducted to estimate nitrate content in commonly used green fodder samples, Co-4, Co-3, Co-5 (Cumbu Napier Hybrid), Sorghum (Sorghum vulgare) and maize (Zea mays), collected from the fields of different villages of salem (Tamil Nadu) and to evaluate the factors associated with nitrate accumulation in these green fodders. The nitrate was analyzed from collected green fodder samples by using score card method. The nitrate level analysis is estimated based on the reactions involving acetic acid and Bray’s indicator as the coupling agents. The nitrate level was determined from collected 1322 green fodder samples showed that 11.80% samples had 0-100 ppm, 21.70% samples had 101-200 ppm, 29.87% samples had 201-500 ppm, 29.27% samples had 501-1000 ppm, 7.03% samples had 1001-2000 ppm and 0.30% samples had above 2000 ppm. From the result analysis, it has been suggested that green fodder samples above 2000 ppm of nitrate fodders has to be wilted before feeding to the dairy animals. Hence, laboratory testing of green fodder is always recommended, so that to prevent the nitrate toxicity incidence in dairy animals.

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