Ergot and Ergotism
Ergot toxicity, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea, differs from other mycotoxicoses, since it results from the consumption of considerable amounts of fungal tissue. In other mycotoxicoses, the toxins are secreted into plant tissues in which the fungus is growing, and very little fungal material is consumed. The ergot fungus infects the flowers of cereals […]