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Effects of Frost and Freezing on Hydrocyanic Acid Potential of Sorghum Plants¹

The effects of frost and freezing on hydrocyanic acid potential (HCN-p) of plants of ‘Greenleaf’ and ‘Piper’ sudangrass and ‘Suhi-1’, a sorghum x sudangrass hybrid, were studied.

The HCN-p of plants of all plant heights and cultivars decreased during the autumn until frost occurred. Significant increases in HCN-p were measured after most frosts. These increases were most evident from 1 to 6 days after frost. The response of HCN-p to frost was greater in shorter than in taller plants. Plants of Suhi-1 had a greater increase in HCN-p than plants of Greenleaf or Piper. Freezes (–5 C or lower) resulted in death of the plants and caused a decrease in HCN-p which continued until little or none was detected. This decrease in HCN-p was observed for plants of all heights and cultivars.

Key Words: prussic acid • cyanide • freezing • sudangrass • sorghum x sudangrass hybrids

² Former graduate student (now Research Specialist, University of Kentucky, Owenton, Ky.), Assistant Professor, Graduate Assistant, and Assistant Professor, Department of Agronomy, University of Tennessee.

Received for publication October 16, 1967.