Secale Cornutum

Secale cornutum, commonly known as rye ergot, is a fungal disease that affects rye (Secale cereale) and other cereal crops. The fungus, Claviceps purpurea, replaces the grain of the plant with dark, purplish-brown sclerotia, which are hard, compact masses of hyphae containing the fungal spores. The name "cornutum" is Latin for "horned," referring to the horn-like shape of the infected grains. In Hebrew, Secale cornutum is known as שעורה קרנית (Sha'ora Karnit). The disease is significant due to its production of alkaloids, which can cause ergotism, a condition characterized by hallucinations, convulsions, and gangrene in humans and animals that consume contaminated grains. Historically, ergot poisoning has been linked to outbreaks of mass hysteria and other unusual behavior, earning it the nickname "St. Anthony's Fire." The fungus thrives in cool, wet conditions and can spread rapidly through fields, making it a major concern for farmers. Effective management strategies include crop rotation, fungicidal seed treatments, and the use of resistant rye varieties.