Ergot
Claviceps purpurea
Basic Details
Description
Taxonomy
Features
Translations
Basic Details
NameErgot
DescriptionErgot replaces grains with hard, purple-black spurs called sclerotia. Identify these toxic fungal growths to prevent dangerous contamination in rye and wheat.
TypeFungus
FamilyClavicipitaceae
GenusClaviceps
Taxonomy & Features
PhylumAscomycota
SubphylumPezizomycotina
ClassSordariomycetes
OrderHypocreales
Features
- A significant fungal disease of rye, wheat, and many grasses caused by Claviceps purpurea. It is famous for producing toxic alkaloids
- Replaces the healthy grain with a hard, dark purple-to-black, curved spur-like structure called a sclerotium
- Initial stage involves a sticky, cream-colored fluid called 'honeydew' dripping from the flowers, which attracts insects to spread the spores
- The sclerotia contain highly toxic alkaloids that can cause 'Ergotism' (St. Anthony's Fire) in humans and livestock if consumed in bread or feed
- Infected plants show reduced grain yield as the fungus consumes the energy intended for the seeds. However, the primary loss is from grain contamination
- Overwinters as sclerotia in the soil or mixed with stored grain. In spring, they produce tiny mushroom-like structures that release airborne spores
- High humidity and cool, damp weather during the flowering period greatly increase the risk of infection
- The sclerotia are much larger than healthy grains and can be easily seen protruding from the grain head (spike)
- Prevent by using clean, certified seed and practicing deep plowing (10 cm+) to bury sclerotia so they cannot germinate. Rotate fields with non-cereal crops
- Modern grain cleaning equipment (color sorters and gravity tables) is very effective at removing the dark, lighter-weight ergot from healthy grain
Names in Different Languages
Latin / ScientificClaviceps purpurea
English (Alternate)Ergot of rye
Hindiअरगट (Ergot)
Tamilஎர்காட் நோய் (Ergot noy)
Teluguఎర్గోట్ తెగులు (Ergot tegulu)
Malayalamഎുർഗോട്ട് (Erggoṭṭ)
Kannadaಅರ್ಗಟ್ ರೋಗ (Argaṭ rōga)
Sanskritअर्कट-रोग (Arkaṭa-roga)
Bengaliএরগট রোগ (Ergot rog)
Frenchergot du seigle
Russianспорынья (sporynya)
Spanishcornezuelo del centeno
GermanMutterkorn
