claviceps purpurea is the type of pathogen that causes ergot of rye.
what type of pathogen causes ergot of rye?
claviceps purpurea
consumption of rye and related cereals contaminated with the fungus "claviceps purpurea" causes ergot poisoning and ergotism in humans and other mammals. the relationship between ergot and ergotism was established only in 1717, and the alkaloid ergotamine, one of the main active ingredients of ergot, was isolated in 1918.
indole alkaloid
fall rye crops are susceptible to the crop disease ergot, ergot causes the growth of purplish-black bodies, replacing some of the grains on the head of the crop. ergot is harmful to both humans and animals, and if found in grain, should be removed by immersing infested rye grain in a water-salt solution. to prevent the incidence of ergot, fall rye should be put in a 2-3 year rotation. the allelopathic effects of fall rye may affect or inhibit the growth of other grass-like crops including corn, to determine whether this may be an issue, a farmer should grow a small test plot to determine inhibition due to the rye. many other crops such as soybean, tobacco, and potatoes can still be grown in rotation with rye without the allelopathic effects
ac hazlet rye