Paspalum ergot
During their development, scrobic seeds can be attacked by the paspalum ergot (Claviceps paspali) whose sclerotia grow instead of the grains. These sclerotia contain an alkaloid that may be fatal to both humans and animals. Other fungi (Sorosporium paspali and Uredo paspali-scrobiculati) are almost invariably present in the outer husks of the grain, and may also be responsible for scrobic toxicity (Baki et al., 1992). Symptoms of ergotism in affected animals are associated with central nervous derangement and appear in the following order: excitement, distrust of people and a tendency to attack. Later, animals may tremble, appear to lack muscular control, stagger and fall. Affected animals may recover in a few days if removed from infected areas in the early stages of excitement (Cook et al., 2005; FAO, 2010; McMullen et al., 1998).
In order to prevent poisoning, the seeds of kodo millet are carefully removed from the outer husks and are winnowed to scatter the spores, so that only clean and healthy grains are used as food (Galinato et al., 1999).
However, scrobic appears less susceptible to Claviceps paspali than Paspalum dilatatum (FAO, 2010). In Australia, no cases of ergot poisoning have been reported in grazing animals (Baki et al., 1992).
Mycotoxins
Kodo millet grains are frequently infested by Aspergillus tamarii Kita which produces cyclopiazonic acid (CPA), a mycotoxin producing acute hepatotoxicity in humans and animals (Antony et al., 2003).
Oxalic acid
Scrobic forage contains 0.23% DM of total oxalic acid but this does not cause toxicity (FAO, 2010).