Ergot in grasses used for feed/forage Calviceps purpurea Sclerotia contaminate seed Soilborne sclerotia overwinter; viable approximately 3 yr in soil or longer in stored grain Ascospores dispersed by wind and rain infect florets; conidia formed on ovary surface serve as secondary inoculum Grain converted into sclerotia More abundant during moist growing seasons

Ergot history (rye) 400 B.C. Hippocrates prescribed ergoty grain to “further childbirth” 1039 St. Anthony’s fire 1692 Salem witch trials 1935 LSD was synthesized during research on the active ingredients in ergot –Ergot contains Lysergic acid

Ergoty grain is toxic to animals 4 forms of toxicity Convulsions Gangrene Hyperthermia (increased body temperature) in cattle Agalactia (no milk) and lack of mammary gland development, prolonged gestations, and early foal deaths in mares fed heavily contaminated feed

Ergot toxicity symptoms depend on: Type of ergot consumed Ratio of major toxic alkaloids present in the ergot: ergotamine, ergotoxine, and ergometrine Frequency and quantity of ingestion Climactic conditions when ergot was growing Species of ergot Other impurities in the grain such as histamine and acetylcholine Claviceps purpurea is usually associated with gangrenous ergotism

Ergot control Harvest before the heads are mature Rotate out of grains at least 1 yr Deep plowing Plant only ergot-free seed Control grassy weeds Seed treatments not effective