Jan 4, 2011

Glossary

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Ergot

The most toxic permanent form of the sac fungus Claviceps purpurea

Ergot on cereal (triticale)
Photo: Jan Freese / www.pixelio.de

Claviceps purpurea is a sac fungus that produces ergot kernels on grasses and cereals to survive the winter. The ergot alkaloids contained in the kernels are extremely toxic. Even small concentrations can be poisonous to humans. Careful cleaning of the cereals can remove the ergot before processing takes place.

Plants are usually infected by the fungus during flowering. As an outcrossing species, rye has to open its flowers, which makes it particularly susceptible to the fungus. The purple-brown ergot kernels form in the ears. They grow to up to 5 cm in length and are usually curved. They are smaller, thinner and less curved in wheat. During harvest they fall to the ground and overwinter on the field.

Ergot is a particularly serious problem for organic farmers. A number of research projects are therefore looking for resistance genes either in varieties that have already been approved or in old native rye varieties.