**-  Northern Plains  
-  Logan, UT 
-  Poisonous Plant Research 
Printable VersionE-mail this pageThis site onlyAll ARS Advanced Search  UBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd">		You are here: 						Research / 																				**Research Project:**Integrated Management, Ecology, and Toxicology Studies
**Location: Poisonous Plant Research**
**2007 Annual Report**
**1a.Objectives (from AD-416)**													1)	 Determine the effects of genetics in the plant and its endophyte, role of environment, and the plant’s growth and development on biochemistry of toxins.2)	Determine the effects of insect herbivory on locoweed ecotypes and their effect on toxin production.3)	Determine change in cattle and sheep rumen microbial populations in response to locoweed feeding and remediation measures.4)	Understand how behavioral and nutritional factors influence within-herd and year-to-year variability in locoweed preference by cattle.5)	Develop integrated management strategies for locoweed growing on rangeland.

**1b.Approach  (from AD-416)**													Locoweed causes significant economic losses in the plains, prairie and desert areas of the central and southwestern U.S.  Locoweed management has the potential to yield positive social returns by alleviating water scarcity while increasing land productivity and environmental quality.  Proposed research for 2006-07 is as follows:a)	Characterize the pathway of swainsonine production in the plant and its endophyte as influenced by environment and genetics using biochemical, molecular, and genetic techniques in whole plants and sterile cultures.b)	Measure swainsonine concentrations in plants altered by insect herbivory; and, identify insects causing locoweed death using taxonomical and genetic approaches.c)	In ruminally-cannulated sheep and cattle, monitor shifts in microbial populations using gel electrophoresis; and, degradation of toxicants will be measured using gas chromatography and ELISA.d)	Using paired locoweed eaters and locoweed avoiders, pen studies will be conducted to evaluate the influence of social rank on peer pressure for locoweed consumption and preference for new flavors.  e)	Through producer surveys, correlate the occurrence of locoism with nutrient and mineral content of grazed forages, and develop preventive supplements and herding strategies.  f)	Initiate studies integrating biological, chemical, behavioral and grazing management strategies to enhance locoweed avoidance and mortality.						
**3.Progress Report**													This research conducted under a Grant Agreement between ARS and New Mexico State University. Additional details of research can be found in the report for the in-house associated project 5428-32000-012-00D Astragalus and Oxytropis Poisoning In Livestock.
Cattle Grazing Woolly Locoweed:Woolly locoweed has caused significant poisoning problems in northeast New Mexico for the last 2 years. The objective of this study was to determine when cattle start eating it in the fall as grasses mature and senesce. A second objective was to determine if cattle in different physiological stages differ in their consumption of locoweed. Ten non-pregnant cows, 5 pregnant cows in the 1st trimester of gestation and 5 in the 2nd trimester constituted the treatment groups. Cows began eating woolly locoweed in late October and all were consuming it by the end of the trial on 20 Nov. There was no difference in consumption between groups. Woolly locoweed density averaged 1 plant/m2 and cattle grazed 65% of the plants. Fall and early winter appear to be critical times that cattle will graze woolly locoweed.
Survey of major locoweeds for the endophyte Embellisia and swainsonine: A survey was conducted of the major locoweeds in the western U.S. to verify that the endophyte was present and produced the toxic alkaloid swainsonine. Species and varieties of Astragalus wootoni, A. pubentissimus, A. molissimus, A. lentiginosus, Oxytropis sericea were sampled from west Texas to Oregon. The presence of the endophyte was determined by culturing the fungus and by PCR. All of these species had the endophyte and produced swainsonine except A. mollissimus var. thompsonii. The endophyte could not be cultured and swainsonine levels were at or below the threshold of detection, but traces of the fungus were detected by PCR. This variety and individual plants from the other species either suppressed the endophyte, or the endophyte failed to colonize the plants for some other reason.  Further research is necessary to determine the plant and fungal factors involved with colonization and synthesis of swainsonine. ADODR monitoring activities included phone calls and e-mails.

    Project TeamPanter, Kip  
Project Annual Reports FY 2009 FY 2008 FY 2007 
Related National Programs Food Safety, (animal and plant products)(108) Rangeland, Pasture, and Forages(215)  							Last Modified: 05/10/2010 		ARS Home |USDA.gov |Site Map |Policies and Links FOIA |Accessibility Statement |Privacy Policy |Nondiscrimination Statement |Information Quality |USA.gov |White House

**