Similarities between so-called kikuyu poisoning of cattle and two experimental mycotoxicoses

Methane emission from dairy cows and wether sheep fed subtropical grass‐dominant pastures in midsummer in New Zealand

“…There is a condition, "kikuyu poisoning" that is observed sporadically in ruminants grazing kikuyu grass in New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa (Cheeke 1995) which occurs in conditions similar to those observed in the present work. While the pathology of the condition is well documented (Cheeke 1995), its cause is unknown although several suggestions have been made, including mycotoxicoses (Martinovich et al 1972), factors associated with army worm (Pseudaletia separata) infestation of the pasture (Smith & Martinovich 1973), and high concentrations of oxalate in the plant (Peet et al 1990). In the present work in 1999 there were infestations of army worm within 10 km of the experimental site, though not at the site.…”

A review of kikuyu grass (Pennisetum clandestinum) poisoning in cattle

“…A kikuyu poisoning–like condition has been produced experimentally in ruminants by the oral administration of cultures from two pasture fungi, Myrothecium sp and Phoma sp 23,24 or by the oral administration of mycotoxins from the macrocyclic trichothecene group, 24,25 specifically roridins and verrucarins. A kikuyu poisoning‐like condition has been reported in cattle in Brazil following the consumption of either of the Brazilian shrubs Baccharis coridifolia 26 or Baccharis megapotamica 27 .…”

Generic hyper-diversity in <I>Stachybotriaceae</I>

“…roridum and Myr. verrucaria have also been associated with mycotoxicoses of livestock and humans ( Mortimer et al 1971 , Martinovich et al 1972 , Trapp et al 1998 , Abbas et al 2002 ). Thus far, only Myr.…”