ERGOTS Meaning and
Definition
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Ergots are a type of fungal disease that affects cereal crops such as rye, wheat, barley, and oats. The disease is caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea. Ergots are characterized by the presence of elongated, dark purple to black sclerotia, or fungal structures, that replace the normal grain kernels in the seed heads of infected plants.
These sclerotia are hard and compact bodies that contain a vast number of fungal spores. They usually protrude from the seed head and can range in size from a few millimeters to a centimeter or more. Ergots are primarily known for their toxicity and the adverse effects they can have on both humans and animals when consumed.
The consumption of grains contaminated with ergots can lead to a condition known as ergotism. Ergotism symptoms may vary depending on the dosage and the specific alkaloids produced by the fungus. Common symptoms include hallucinations, seizures, tingling or numbness in the limbs, gastrointestinal disturbances, and in severe cases, gangrene and tissue death.
Historically, ergots have been responsible for numerous outbreaks of poisoning, often referred to as St. Anthony's fire. Due to the potential health risks and economic losses associated with ergot-contaminated grain, efforts are made to prevent and control ergot diseases through various management practices such as crop rotation, seed treatment, and monitoring of grain quality.
Common Misspellings for ERGOTS
- ergos
- argotts
- argots
- UrGTS
- rrgots
- 4rgots
- 3rgots
- eegots
- efgots
- etgots
- e5gots
- e4gots
- erfots
- ervots
- erbots
- erhots
- eryots
- ertots
- ergits
- ergkts
Etymology of ERGOTS
The word "ergots" has its etymology rooted in old French. It can be traced back to the old French word "argot", which meant "spur". This word was derived from the Old Norse word "argr", meaning "heel" or "spur". Later, the term "ergot" specifically referred to the spur-like growths found on the heads of cereal grains, caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.
Similar spelling words for ERGOTS
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