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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Columbia, Missouri » Plant Genetics Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #86711
Title: CYANOGENS AND CONDENSED TANNIN CONCENTRATIONS IN THREE LOTUS SPECIES.

Author
item GREBREHIWOT, LUSEDGED - UNIV OF MISSOURI
item Beuselinck, Paul

Submitted to: Agronomy Abstracts
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/15/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Cyanogenic glucosides and tannins are widely spread in plants and are generally considered as anti-nutritional factors in forages. Both cyanogenic and tannin molecules have potential for use as deterrents against predators. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and condensed tannins were determined in fall-grown birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus L.) 'Norcen' and 'Steadfast', narrowleaf trefoil (L. glaber Mill.) ARS-1207, and big trefoil (L. uliginosus Schk.) ARS-1221. Narrowleaf trefoil had the highest concentration of HCN throughout the fall ranging from 140-190 ug/g of dry matter. Big trefoil had the lowest HCN concentration (20 ug/g), while Norcen and Steadfast had intermediate values. Condensed tannins expressed as catechin equivalents were four times greater in big trefoil (80 ug/mg of dry matter) than in the other species. The concentration of condensed tannins was significantly reduced from early to late fall, while HCN changed little. Condensed tannins and HCN concentrations were negatively correlated (r=-0.54, p=0.01).