Crop Science Journal of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Education
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Published in Crop Sci 13:548-551 (1973)
© 1973 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
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Quick Test for Reed Canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.) Alkaloid Concentration1

J. R. Frelich and G. C. Marten2

We modified a generalized, plant-alkaloid screening procedure to provide a quick, semiquantitative test for concern tatioii of total basic alkaloids in reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea L.). The test is based upon ocular assessment of discernible differences in turbidity or precipitates produced by silicotungstic acid added to plant extracts. The extracts are prepared by macerating frozen grass in ammoniacal chloroform and then by partitioning into 2 N H2SO4.

Alkaloid concentrations determined by a summation of readings over five dilutions using the quick test were highly correlated (r = 0.94, P ≤ .01) with concentrations determined by the quantitative laboratory test of Simons and Marten (1971). The quick test is about four times faster than the Simons and Marten test and should enable plant breeders to select low-alkaloid plants or alkaloid-free plants among large numbers of genotypes.

Key Words: Palatability • Plant toxicity • Forage anti-quality components • Alkaloid assay

1 Paper No 8190, Scientific Journal Series, Minnesota Agricultural Experiment Station and North Central Region, Agricultural Research Service, USDA. The authors acknowledge with gratitude the assistance of R. E. Stucker in statistical analysis. Part of a thesis submitted by the senior author as partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Ph.D, degree.

2 Research Assistant and Research Agronomist, ARS, USDA, Department of Agronomy and Plant Genetics, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55101.

Received for publication March 18, 1973.




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