Rachael Brooke, Phillips-Rooks District Extension Agent Agriculture and Natural Resources
The potential for high nitrate concentrations in crops such as cereal grains (including wheat) corn, sorghum, canola, and some grasses occurs after exposure to drought, hail, frost, cloudy weather, or soil fertility imbalance. Nitrates accumulate in the lower portion of these plants when stresses reduce crop yields to less than expected, based on the supplied nitrogen fertility level.