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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Poisonous Plant Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #283612
Title: Influence of phenological stage on swainsonine concentrations and endophyte amounts in Oxytropis sericea

Author
item Cook, Daniel
item SHI, LEI - University Of Nevada
item Gardner, Dale
item Pfister, James
item Grum, Daniel
item Welch, Kevin
item Ralphs, Michael

Submitted to: Journal of Chemical Ecology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2012
Publication Date: 2/1/2012
Citation: Cook, D., Shi, L., Gardner, D.R., Pfister, J.A., Grum, D.S., Welch, K.D., Ralphs, M.H. 2012. Influence of phenological stage on swainsonine concentrations and endophyte amounts in Oxytropis sericea. Journal of Chemical Ecology. 38(2): 195-203.

Interpretive Summary: Locoweeds are defined as Astragalus and Oxytropis species that cause intoxication from the alkaloid swainsonine. Swainsonine concentrations in Oxytropis sericea are influenced by location, plant part, and the developmental stage of the plant. Swainsonine concentrations follow similar trends at each location generally increasing over the growing season in above ground parts until the plant reaches maturity and staying the same in the crowns. As the plant begins to senesce, swainsonine concentrations decrease in the floral parts by greater than half of their peak concentration. Swainsonine concentrations in Oxytropis sericea are positively associated with the endophyte Unidfilum oxytropis, which has been shown to be responsible for swainsonine biosynthesis. Similar to swainsonine concentrations, endophyte amounts are influenced by location, plant part, and the developmental stage of the plant. Likewise, endophyte amounts generally increase over the growing season in above ground parts and remain static in the crowns at all four locations.

Technical Abstract: Locoweeds are defined as Astragalus and Oxytropis species that cause intoxication from the alkaloid swainsonine. Swainsonine concentrations in Oxytropis sericea are influenced by location, plant part, and the developmental stage of the plant. Swainsonine concentrations follow similar trends at each location generally increasing over the growing season in above ground parts until the plant reaches maturity and staying the same in the crowns. As the plant begins to senesce, swainsonine concentrations decrease in the floral parts by greater than half of their peak concentration. Swainsonine concentrations in Oxytropis sericea are positively associated with the endophyte Unidfilum oxytropis, which has been shown to be responsible for swainsonine biosynthesis. Similar to swainsonine concentrations, endophyte amounts are influenced by location, plant part, and the developmental stage of the plant. Likewise, endophyte amounts generally increase over the growing season in above ground parts and remain static in the crowns at all four locations.