Identification and distribution of cyanamide in leguminous plants

Abstract

Cyanamide has been utilized as a synthetic agrochemical. Recently, cyanamide was isolated and identified as a natural plant growth inhibitor of hairy vetch (Vicia villosa Roth), a legume. Cyanamide may also play an important role in vetch-associated disease of cattle as a toxic substance. In this study, we developed the advantageous method to identify cyanamide, and reported the distribution of cyanamide in some leguminous plants, such as Vicia, Astragalus and Trifolium. It became clear that Vicia contained large amount of cyanamide but other genus hardly contain cyanamide.