Patterns of in Vitro Ergot Alkaloid Production by Claviceps Paspali and Their Association with Different Growth Rates

SUMMARY

An isolate of Claviceps paspali, Ta-1, produced ergot alkaloids after total biomass formation was over (Pattern No. 1) when cultured on complex organic media favoring rapid growth rate (e.g., k > 3), and during biomass formation (Pattern No. 2) when cultured on sugar- or polyolammonium succinate media favoring low growth rate (e.g., k < 0.6). This is the first direct evidence that a given culture can produce ergot alkaloids by both patterns. Composition and concentration of the nutrients of the production medium appear to be the factors determining which pattern was followed.