NITRATE AND NITRITE IN RUMINANTS' BROWSE LEAVES

Abstract

The Nitrate (N0₃) and Nitrite (NO₂) concentrations were determined in some 37 browse leaves usually fed to ruminants. Concentrations of nitrates obtained ranged from 0.00 to 2790 mg, 2050 mg and 1540 mg per 100 g DM respectively in the leaves of trees, shrubs and herbs/grass while those of nitrite were also from 0.00 to 840, 80 and 441 mg respectively. per 100 g DM of leaves. NO₂concetration was generally lower than N0₃ in most of the leaves analysed. Feeding trials with goats indicated average NO₂ intake of 5.25 to 415.75 mg/d/wkg^0.734 while the respective DM intake values were between 22.34±5.01 and 85.36±3.78 g/d/Wkg^0.734. Mortalities were not recorded ail through the experimental period.