Kochia scoparia oxalate content

Kochia scoparia was collected periodically during the growing seasons of 1984, 1985 and 1986. The 10, 16 and 16 samples, respectively, from these years were air dried, hammer milled and analyzed at a later date for soluble and total oxalates. An additional 6 samples from New Mexico were analyzed from the 1987 growing season. A maximum of 4.7% soluble oxalates and 11.4% total oxalates were present in 1986 Colorado kochia following heavy rainfall. This concentration of soluble oxalate could cause chronic oxalate poisoning (alkalosis) in cattle.