Claviceps

Claviceps and other fungi-producing ergot alkaloids... 

Many grasses are known to act as reservoirs and sources of primary C. purpurea inoculum (Hoffmann and Schmutterer, 1983 Agrios, 1997). Since beetle banks and non-crop field margins are commonly used in organic farming to increase biodiversity, it is possible that these areas may also become sources of Claviceps inoculum. The goal for farmers must be to achieve a balance between the benefits of on-farm biodiversity (e.g. improved habitat for pest predators) and the risk of increased infection by fungi such as Claviceps. 

Bretag T W and Merriman P R (1981), Epidemiology and cross-infection of Claviceps purpurea", Trans. Br. Mycol. Soc., 77, 211-213. 

Dabkevicius Z and Semaskiene R (2002), Control of ergot (Claviceps purpurea (Fr.) Tul.) ascoscarpus formation under the impact of chemical and biological seed dressing , Plant Protect. Sci., 38 (2), 681-683. 

For a description of a wild American Claviceps species see Mycologia 66,978(1974). 

Inoculate the sterilized medium with Claviceps purpurea under sterile conditions, stopper with sterilized cotton and incubate for two weeks periodically testing and maintaining pH 4. After two week a surface culture will be seen on the medium. Large-scale production of the fungus can now begin. 

There is some interesting new methodology that has been worked out in the course of these studies 73>76>. in general, stereospecificity relations of this sort are examined with the help of other enzyme reactions of known stereospecificity. When mevalonic acid (lactone form, 8 is fed to Claviceps, the 5-Hs atom is incorporated into the ergot alkaloids agroclavin 9a and elymoclavin 9b, whereas the 5Hr, atom is lost. 

Ergot Claviceps purpurea Fungus of-isolysergic acid of-lysergic acid... 

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea). Reprinted from Barron et ai., "The Haiiucinogenic Drugs." Scientific American. Aprii 1964. liiustration by Aiex Semenoick. 

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