Toxicity and Occurrence of Balansia on Grasses from Toxic Fescue Pastures

ABSTRACT

Balansia epichloë (Weese) and B. henningsiana (Moell.) were isolated from grasses in toxic fescue pastures. B. epichloë, cultured in a synthetic medium, was toxic to chicken embryos. Thin-layer chromatography and ultraviolet absorption data indicated that in submerged culture the fungus produced compounds with the indole or ergoline nucleus.