SOURCE-SINK RELATIONS IN PURPLE ERGOT CULTIVATED ON RYE FOR PHARMACEUTICALS

Several factors affecting alkaloid production by ergot (Claviceps purp urea (Fr.) Tul.), when cultivated on winter rye (Secale cereale L.), w ere evaluated: the activity of photosynthesizing tissues in rye, the s clerotium number per ear, induced rye sterility, water availability to plants, and direct solar radiation and temperature in the course of i nfection of rye by conidiospores. At the optimum load of three sclerot ia per ear, rye ears and seems were the primary source of the products of photosynthesis for developing sclerotia. With five sclerotia per e ar, the average weight and alkaloid content declined. Winter rye steri lity was found to efficiently promote ergot epiphytoty, Water availabi lity after infection did not affect the sclerotium productivity; howev er, water deficit enhanced the biosynthesis of alkaloids and fatty oil . A new technique to control the productivity of ergot sclerotia and t o override the unsubstantiated limitation to plant inoculation with er got conidiospores was presented.