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Symbiotic Parasites and Mutualistic Pathogens

Clavicipitaceous Symbionts of Grasses

  • Chapter
Fungal Pathology

Abstract

In perhaps no other system are mutualists and antagonists known to be so closely related as in the fungal family, Clavicipitaceae. Its type species is the infamous ergot fungus, Claviceps purpurea, dreaded throughout history as a deadly contaminant of grains. This and related fungi produce ergot alkaloids, and in the hallucinogenic 1960’s a modified ergot alkaloid became a popular symbol of the counter culture. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) is a potent psychotropic agent, but its natural relatives, the ergopeptines, are also gruesome killers. Claviceps purpurea produces large amounts of ergotamine and other ergopeptines concentrated in its sclerotia, the resting structures that are also known as ergots (Tudzynski et al 1995). The fungus infects florets of grasses, including grain crops such as rye, and produces ergots as marvelous mimics of the seeds they replace. Historically the ergots were difficult to remove from the grain because of their similar size and density. In modern times ingenious methods are employed to remove the ergots automatically. Still, C. purpurea remains important as a source of ergot alkaloids for legitimate medical use (Rehâcek 1991), and as the exemplar of a fascinating group of fungi. Other genera in the family Clavicipitaceae also produce ergot alkaloids and numerous other metabolites with potent biological properties (Porter 1994), but they do so continuously while hiding in plain sight. These are symbionts of grasses and sedges that live perennially in their hosts, give little or no outward sign of their presence, and often provide great benefits as agents of biological protection from insects, vertebrate herbivores, fungal pathogens, parasitic nematodes and even drought. The best studied for their beneficial effects on grasses are Epichloe species and their asexual derivatives, the Neotyphodium species. This chapter discusses the plant-associated Clavicipitaceae with emphasis on the mutualistic species and their closest relatives.

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  1. Department of Plant Pathology, University of Kentucky, S-305 Agricultural Sciences Bldg.-N, Lexington, Kentucky, 40546-0091, USA

    C. L. Schardl

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Schardl, C.L. (2000). Symbiotic Parasites and Mutualistic Pathogens. In: Kronstad, J.W. (eds) Fungal Pathology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9546-9_11

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-015-9546-9_11

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