title: Improving field production of ergot alkaloids by application of gametocide on rye host plants.
abstract: Ergot alkaloids are widely used in the pharmaceutical industry in drug preparations for treating migraines and Parkinson's disease, inducing uterine contraction, and other purposes. Phytopathogenic fungi of the genus Claviceps (e.g. C. purpurea) comprise a major biological source of ergot alkaloids. Worldwide industrial production of these alkaloids derives almost equally from two biotechnological procedures: submerged culture of the fungus in fermenters and field parasitic production in dormant fungal organs known as sclerotia (also termed ergot). Ergot yields from field cultivation are greatly affected by weather and also can be much reduced by pollen contamination from imperfectly male-sterile rye, as only unfertilized ovaries can be infected by C. purpurea spores. Two substances with gametocidal effect - maleic hydrazide and 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid - were tested during three consecutive seasons in small field experiments for the ability to induce or amplify the male sterility of rye as well as the impacts on germination of C. purpurea spores and general vitality of rye host plants. Maleic hydrazide was proven to be a highly effective gametocide on both a fertile rye variety and a variety with imperfectly induced cytoplasmic male sterility. It showed negligible effect on germination of C. purpurea spores. Both accurate dosaging of the active gametocidal compound and timing of the application just 2-3 weeks before onset of anthesis proved crucial to achieving high ergot yield with minimum grain impurities.
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Helena
authors: H
authors: Hanosová
authors: Department of Chemical Biology and Genetics, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Radoslav
authors: R
authors: Koprna
authors: Teva Czech Industries s.r.o., Ostravská 305/29, 747 70 Opava-Komárov, Czech Republic.
authors: Josef
authors: J
authors: Valík
authors: Teva Czech Industries s.r.o., Ostravská 305/29, 747 70 Opava-Komárov, Czech Republic.
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Knoppová
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Ivo
authors: I
authors: Frébort
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic.
authors: Lenka
authors: L
authors: Dzurová
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, Centre of the Region Haná for Biotechnological and Agricultural Research, Faculty of Science, Palacký University, Šlechtitelů 11, 783 71 Olomouc, Czech Republic. Electronic address: petr.galuszka@upol.cz.
authors: Petr
authors: P
authors: Galuszka
mesh_terms: D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004876:Ergot Alkaloids / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055993:Germ Cells, Plant / Q000187:drug effects*; D008300:Maleic Hydrazide / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators / Q000494:pharmacology; D051479:Plant Infertility / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D012434:Secale / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D004876:Ergot Alkaloids; D009943:Organophosphorus Compounds; D010937:Plant Growth Regulators; D008300:Maleic Hydrazide; C005073:ethephon