Editorial - Plant toxins

Authors: Welch, Kevin

Submitted to: Toxicon
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/17/2019
Publication Date: 10/1/2019
Citation: Welch, K.D. 2019. Editorial - Plant toxins. Toxicon. 168:140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.07.009.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.toxicon.2019.07.009

Interpretive Summary: The livestock industry in the western United States loses over $500,000,000 annually from death losses and abortions due to poisonous plants. Actual losses due to poisonous plants are much greater as a result of wasted forage and increased management costs. Poisonous plants are found in hundreds of genera representing thousands of species. Poisonous plants occur worldwide, for example, 333 million hectares in China are infested with poisonous plants and 60 million hectares in Brazil. Consequently, scientists worldwide study the effects of plant toxins on humans and animals. This research helps to reduce livestock losses from plants and enhance the economic well-being of rural communities, improve rangeland health by combating invasive plant species, and help to provide safe animal products for consumers free from potential plant toxins. The ultimate goal is to develop research-based solutions to reduce livestock losses from toxic plants. Every four years a conference called the International Symposium on Poisonous Plants (ISOPP) is held, wherein scientists from around the world gather to present and discuss their research into poisonous plants. The 10th ISOPP was held on September 16-20, 2018 in St. George, Utah, USA. The meeting was truly international with 55 attendees from across the globe. The attendees were a diverse mix of research scientists, academicians, students, veterinarians, private industry representatives, extension agents and government regulators. Many of the individuals who presented their research at this meeting have dedicated their scientific careers to studying poisonous plants. A special issue in the peer reviewed journal Toxicon was prepared to highlight research that is being conducted globally by scientists in various disciplines, with an emphasis on the impact of plant toxins on livestock species. This editorial served as an introduction to the special issue of plant toxins and the work being performed by scientists around the world.

Technical Abstract: The livestock industry in the western United States loses over $500,000,000 annually from death losses and abortions due to poisonous plants. Actual losses due to poisonous plants are much greater as a result of wasted forage and increased management costs. Poisonous plants are found in hundreds of genera representing thousands of species. Poisonous plants occur worldwide, for example, 333 million hectares in China are infested with poisonous plants and 60 million hectares in Brazil. Consequently, scientists worldwide study the effects of plant toxins on humans and animals. This research helps to reduce livestock losses from plants and enhance the economic well-being of rural communities, improve rangeland health by combating invasive plant species, and help to provide safe animal products for consumers free from potential plant toxins. The ultimate goal is to develop research-based solutions to reduce livestock losses from toxic plants. Every four years a conference called the International Symposium on Poisonous Plants (ISOPP) is held, wherein scientists from around the world gather to present and discuss their research into poisonous plants. The 10th ISOPP was held on September 16-20, 2018 in St. George, Utah, USA. The meeting was truly international with 55 attendees from across the globe. The attendees were a diverse mix of research scientists, academicians, students, veterinarians, private industry representatives, extension agents and government regulators. Many of the individuals who presented their research at this meeting have dedicated their scientific careers to studying poisonous plants. A special issue in the peer reviewed journal Toxicon was prepared to highlight research that is being conducted globally by scientists in various disciplines, with an emphasis on the impact of plant toxins on livestock species. This editorial served as an introduction to the special issue of plant toxins and the work being performed by scientists around the world.