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Tryptamine levels in pasturage implicated in bovine pulmonary emphysema Parmar, Sohan Singh

Abstract

Reed canary grass (Phalaris ammdinacea L.) (R.C.G.) was found to be the only species, of seven common pasture species, in Interior B.C. wet meadows containing significant quantities of the tryptamine alkaloids. The distribution and concentration of tryptamines within the plant and throughout the season, on a number of R.C.G. meadows both in the Interior and at the Coast developed under very different soil, climate and water regimes, was then accorded attention. Tryptamines were confined to the uppermost leaf blades. Certain of the meadows studied had long been associated with the occurrence of bovine pulmonary emphysema (BPE); the occurrence, concentration and disappearance seems to be somewhat consistent with the occurrence, severity and disappearance of BPE. The effect of nitrogenous fertilizers on tryptamine levels, nitrogen uptake and dry matter yields of R.C.G. was intimately related to the kind of nitrogenous fertilizer and soil water regime. Yields of dry matter, total N levels and tryptamine concentration were differentially related to source and amount of fertilizer; ammonium sources, especially on glei soils, and at high rates, favoured tryptamine production in R.C.G.

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