Crop Science Grow Your Career with CSSA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

Published in Crop Sci 19:197-203 (1979)
© 1979 Crop Science Society of America
677 S. Segoe Rd., Madison, WI 53711 USA
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Gustine, D. L.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by Gustine, D. L.
Agricola
Right arrow Articles by Gustine, D. L.

Aliphatic Nitro Compounds in Crownvetch: A Review1

David L. Gustine2

Aliphatic nitro compounds found in crownvetch (Coronilla varia L.) can adversely affect animals. They are glucose esters of 3-nitropropanoic acid (NPA) and are found primarily in the Coronilla, Astragalus, and Indigofera genera of Leguminosae family, as well as in other families. Methods have been established for isolation, identification, and analysis of these compounds. The toxicology of NPA in nonruminant animals has been studied, and symptoms produced by NPA, including methemoglobinemia, have been described. Recent data support the hypothesis that NPA exerts its toxic effect by irreversibly inhibiting the mitochondrial enzyme, succinate dehydrogenase. During this event, nitrite ion is released, which results in methemoglobinemia. In contrast to nonruminants, ruminants rarely exhibit toxic symptoms, because NPA is metabolized to nontoxic products by rumen microorganisms. Growth and storage conditions influence the levels of NPA in crownvetch. Information concerning the inheritance and function of NPA in crownveteh is inadequate. Crownvetch may be safely fed to ruminants but, if fed to nonrnminants, its concentration should not exceed 5% of the diet.

Key Words: Coronilla varia • Astragalus • 3-Nitropropanol • Toxicity • Ruminants • Nonruminants • Forage

1 Contribution no. 471 from the U.S. Regional Pasture Res. Lab., USDA-SEA, AR, University Park, PA 16802.

2 Research biochemist, U.S. Regional Pasture Research Laboratory (and also adjunct assistant professor of crop physiology, Pennsylvania State Univ.), University Park, Pa.

Received for publication August 14, 1978.




HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
The SCI Journals Agronomy Journal Vadose Zone Journal
Journal of Plant Registrations Soil Science Society of America Journal
Journal of Natural Resources
and Life Sciences Education		 Journal of
Environmental Quality
Copyright © 1979 by the Crop Science Society of America.