Effects of cutting frequency and height on alkaloid production in endophyte-infected drunken horse grass (Achnatherum inebrians).
Abstract: An evaluation was performed on the influence of mowing height (2.5, 5.0 or 7.5 cm) and mowing frequency (weekly or fortnightly) on levels of ergot alkaloids (ergine and ergonovine) formed in drunken horse grass, Achnatherum inebrians, grown under greenhouse conditions. Samples were taken monthly and alkaloids were extracted and analyzed by reverse-phase HPLC. Alkaloid levels increased more or less linearly with plant age over the first four months following establishment. Levels were higher in samples cut fortnightly compared to those cut weekly, and were higher when plants were cut at a mowing height of 7.5 cm vs. 2.5 cm. In most cases, the highest alkaloid levels observed were almost three times those of the lowest. If plant protection applications are developed for the endophytic fungus, Neotyphodium gansuense, it will be necessary to be aware of the potential role of plant husbandry practices (e.g., defoliation frequency and intensity) for reducing or enhancing levels of plant alkaloids. Similar husbandry factors may affect alkaloid levels in other Neotyphodium-grass associations, which would be interesting for further study.
Publication Date: 2011-06-26 PubMed ID: 21706418DOI: 10.1007/s11427-011-4181-yGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
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- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper investigates the impact of mowing schedules and heights on the production of certain alkaloids in a grass species known as drunken horse grass. The results suggest that plant husbandry practices can significantly influence alkaloid levels.
Study Setup
- The researchers performed their study under greenhouse conditions, using the grass species Achnatherum inebrians, also known as drunken horse grass.
- Two key factors were examined: mowing height and mowing frequency. The grass was cut at heights of 2.5 cm, 5.0 cm, and 7.5 cm, and the mowing was performed on either a weekly or fortnightly basis.
- Every month, samples were taken from the grass. These samples were then analyzed to determine the levels of ergine and ergonovine, two types of ergot alkaloids which are produced by the grass.
Results
- Drunken horse grass appeared to increase its production of alkaloids as it aged, up to about four months.
- Grass cut on a fortnightly schedule produced higher quantities of alkaloids than grass cut weekly.
- Similarly, grass cut at a height of 7.5 cm had higher alkaloid levels than grass cut at 2.5 cm.
- In both cases, the observed difference was quite significant, with the highest alkaloid levels nearly tripling the lowest ones.
Implications and Practical Application
- This study’s findings have implications for managing the alkaloid content of certain grass species. For instance, Neotyphodium gansuense is an endophytic fungus—with potential applications for plant protection—that infects a variety of grass species, including Achnatherum inebrians. However, increased alkaloid levels can cause harmful effects in humans and animals that consume the grass.
- Therefore, understanding the impact of mowing practices on alkaloid production can help optimize plant husbandry techniques to regulate the levels of these compounds. For example, if the goal is to minimize the alkaloid content of the grass, it may be beneficial to adopt a more frequent mowing schedule and to cut the grass at a lower height.
- In addition, these findings raise interesting questions for future research. In particular, it remains to be seen whether similar effects can be observed in other Neotyphodium-grass associations.
Cite This Article
APA
Zhang X, Li C, Nan Z.
(2011).
Effects of cutting frequency and height on alkaloid production in endophyte-infected drunken horse grass (Achnatherum inebrians).
Sci China Life Sci, 54(6), 567-571.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-011-4181-y Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-systems, College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
MeSH Terms
- Agriculture / methods
- Animals
- China
- Crops, Agricultural
- Ergot Alkaloids / biosynthesis
- Ergot Alkaloids / toxicity
- Horses
- Neotyphodium
- Poaceae / anatomy & histology
- Poaceae / chemistry
- Poaceae / metabolism
- Poaceae / microbiology
- Symbiosis
Citations
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