Sorghum Poisoning in Livestock: Mechanisms, Risks, and Sustainable Mitigation Strategies

Sorghum ( Sorghum bicolor L . Moench ) is a drought‐tolerant crop grown in both arid and semiarid regions and serves as both food and fodder. Under environmental stresses, sorghum accumulates cyanogenic glucosides, especially dhurrin. Through ingestion, dhurrin is hydrolyzed into a toxic element called hydrogen cyanide (HCN). This review examines the biochemical pathways of dhurrin synthesis and HCN release. It also highlights major risk factors such as drought, frost, and hazardous grazing management. The study presents a range of integrated mitigation strategies from agroforestry to genetic solutions and discusses their implementation through education and policy. We evaluated mitigation strategies, namely integration of agroforestry with nitrogen‐fixing trees ( Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium ) with a view to reducing plant stress and providing alternative fodder as well as feed management techniques (ensiling, sulfur supplementation). We explored genetic solutions (low‐dhurrin cultivars developed via CRISPR‐Cas9) and microbial remediation approaches ( Pseudomonas fluorescens, Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) for detoxicating cyanide. Sorghum poisoning occurs largely because farmers lack an understanding of why their forage becomes dangerous. Identifying this gap in farmer education on risk assessment and safe management practices emerges as a reliable control measure. This study proposes a sustainable framework that integrates technical innovation with farmer‐friendly technology transfer to minimize livestock losses and preserve the agricultural value of sorghum.