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Nitrate levels generally are highest following wet periods and lowest during dry periods which may cause a false sense of security. Water samples from shallow, dug, bored and driven wells more frequently contain excess nitrates than water from deeper, drilled wells. Fractured bedrock may also enable the mixing of surface water nitrates into ground water. Excess nitrates also are more apt to be found in ground water under low areas and waterways that collect or convey surface water. Nitrates are more concentrated below or near the area of waste accumulation or disposal such as manure piles, feedlots, septic tank disposal fields, cesspools, privies, etc. Any nitrate added to, or produced within, the soil may be leached or washed away by moving water–either by surface run-off or ground water percolation. Vegetables capable of accumulating large amounts of nitrate that are most frequently grazed include sugar beets, lettuce, cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

Weeds capable of nitrate accumulation include pigweed, lambsquarter, sunflower, bindweed, and many others. Crops capable of high levels of nitrate accumulation under adverse conditions include corn, small grains, sudangrass, and sorghum. Some plants are more likely to accumulate nitrate than others. Nitrates may also accumulate in plants from excessive nitrogen fertilization, for example on fields where a large amount of manure has been applied. When this situation develops, nitrate accumulates.

If any one of these factors is inadequate, the root continues to absorb nitrate at the same rate while storing it unchanged in the stalk and lower parts of the leaves.

A temperature conducive to rapid chemical reactions.

The nitrate-to-protein cycle in a plant is dependent on three factors: Under certain conditions, however, this balance can be disrupted so that the roots will take up nitrate faster than the plant can convert the nitrate to protein. However, little nitrate accumulates in plants, when growth is normal, because the plant stem and leaves rapidly convert nitrate to plant amino acids and protein. Plants normally take up nitrogen from the soil in the form of nitrate, regardless of the form of nitrogen fertilizer (including manure) applied. However, concern should certainly be raised when plant growth has been less than half of normal or nitrogen application more than twice recommended. The occurrence of nitrate poisoning is difficult to predict because nitrate levels can change rapidly in plants and the toxicity of nitrate varies greatly among livestock due to prior exposure, age, health status, and diets. Thus, when an animal dies from nitrate poisoning, it is due to a lack of oxygen. Nitrite then will be absorbed into the bloodstream and will convert hemoglobin to methemoglobin, which is unable to transport oxygen. Consequently, when higher than normal amounts of nitrate are consumed, an accumulation of nitrite may occur in the rumen. Nitrate is converted to nitrite faster than nitrite is converted to ammonia. Nitrate (NO 3) -> Nitrite (NO 2) -> Ammonia (NH 3) -> Amino Acid -> Protein Nitrate (NO 3) -> Nitrite (NO 2) -> Ammonia (NH 3) -> -–Bacterial Protein-–

The steps of conversion in this process are as follows: Under normal conditions, nitrate ingested by ruminant livestock, like cattle, sheep and goats, is converted to ammonia and then bacterial protein in the rumen. Horses are much less sensitive to nitrate toxicity since they are hindgut ferments and do not have a rumen. Nitrate poisoning is a condition which may affect ruminants consuming certain forages or water that contains an excessive amount of nitrate. Nitrate Poisoning in Cattle, Sheep and Goatsīy Dan Undersander, Dave Combs, Randy Shaver,