Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Seed Yield Of Three Tall Fescue Cultivars As Affected By Endophyte Infection, T D. Phillips, M R. Siegel

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has enhanced fitness in some environments. The objectives were to measure the effects of the endophyte Acremonium coenophialum on seed yield traits and to determine the transmission rate of the endophyte from infected maternal plants into seed. Twenty infected and noninfected (E-) seedlings of each of three tall fescue cultivars were transplanted to the field in May, 1993. In 1994, there were significant differences between E+ and E- plants for panicle number and seed weight per panicle. In the second year, there were no differences between E+ and E- for the measured …

Establishment Vigor Of Endophyte Free And Endophyte Infected Tall Fescue Cultivars In Southern Ohio, C D. Penrose, H M. Bartholomew, R M. Sulc, E M. Volborn

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Eleven cultivars of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea, Schreb.) and two cultivars of orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) are part of a study to evaluate yield, establishment vigor, persistence and palatability under autumn stockpiling conditions. Included in the study are two endophyte infected-cultivars of tall fescue to compare interactions with endophyte free and infected cultivars. The results demonstrate that the newer endophyte-free and low-endophyte tall fescue cultivars evaluated are similar to other orchardgrass and endophyte-infected tall fescue cultivars in establishment vigor and early growth the year following establishment.

Influence Of The Fungal Endophyte Acremonium Lolii On Dry Matter Yield Of Perennial Ryegrass In Galcia, Spain, J A. Oliveira, J Collar

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

A field experiment studying the impact of the ryegrass endophyte (Acremonium lolii), was carried out at two locations in Galicia (Northwest Spain): Mabegondo on the Atlantic coast and Puebla de Brollón in the interior. Of 56 half-sib families of Galician perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) studied, 28 held endophyte (E+) and the other 28 not (E-). All these families were established in trial plots in 1992. Significant differences between E- and E+ families were obtained, and E+ families had a higher (P < 0.05) first cut, spring and total yield than E- families at Puebla de Brollón (dry location) in the third year after planting. The infection of perennial ryegrass with some strains of A. lolii seems to benefit the host in stressful conditions. In some areas of Galicia, climatic conditions are often stressful for perennial ryegrass and the chances of E+ plants being favored by either natural or artificial selection seems high.

Effect Of Endophyte-Infected Tall Fescue Hay On Dairy Heifers Under European Intensive Management, J C. Emile, J P. Ravault, J M. Chabosseau

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Two fields were established at Lusignan (France) with the same variety of tall fescue but differing in the rate of Acremonium coenophialum seed infestation : 0 % = E- ; 100 % = E+. Dairy heifers were fed ad libitum with E- or E+ hay and were given in addition 1.7 kg DM of concentrates. No effect was noticed on the intake (5.65 vs 5.63 kg DM) as well as on ADG (874 vs 838 g/d) regarding E- vs E+ hay resp. However, prolactin concentration was significantly halved when heifers were fed with the E+ hay. More temperate climatic conditions …

Eneficial Use Of Grasses Artificially Infected With Endophytes, Non-Toxic To Animals, G.C M. Latch, L R. Fletcher

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Information presented in this paper demonstrates that Ryegrass Staggers does not occur in animals which graze ryegrasses (Lolium sp.) artificially infected with a strain of Acremonium endophyte which does not produce the tremorgenic toxin lolitrem B. Peramine is produced by the endophyte and this alkaloid protects the grass from attack by Argentine stem weevil. New Zealand farmers have used a ryegrass cultivar infected with this strain of endophyte for the past four years and there are no reports of Ryegrass Staggers in animals grazing it. Strains of endophytes have been found in other grasses which do not produce toxins …

The Effect Of Ryegrass Endophyte On Milk Production From Dairy Cows In Northern New Zealand, E R. Thom, D A. Clark, C D. Waugh, R J. Mccabe, V T. Van Vught, B.J L. Kock

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The aim of this study was to compare the milk production of cows grazing endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) pasture with those grazing endophyte-free pastures. High and nil endophyte ryegrass pastures were drilled with and without white clover (Trifolium repens L.) in autumn 1993. White clover was completely removed in autumn 1995. High endophyte pastures had >85% of tillers infected but nil endophyte pastures were rapidly contaminated with endophyte-infected ryegrass and had 50% infection by autumn 1996. Losses in milk production due to endophyte were small (<6%), and occurred in only 2 of the 6 three week test periods. Cows showed clinical symptoms of ryegrass staggers in summer/autumn 1995 but not in 1996. Heat stress symptoms were absent. Losses of milk production occurred when lolitrem B levels were low (spring 1994) and when cows did not show clinical staggers (summer 1996). Other chemicals or agronomic factors could be important determinants of the milk production responses.

Enviornmental Quality And Production Efficiency Of Beef Cattle In Tall Fescue Pasture Systems, H A. Fribourg, J C. Waller

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The establishment, longevity, and utilization of mixed Acremonium coenophialum endophyte-infested (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) pastures were evaluated in three beef production experiments. In Experiment-1, E-, 80% E+ , and a sward of alternate sets of four drill rows of E+ and E- were compared under put-and-take grazing. Stand density of E- was inadequate after 3 yr, but stands and animal performance of the other treatments were similar for 4 yr. Wide strips (6-7 m) of E- fescue were established (Experiment-2) subsequently with no-till methods in E+ fescue sods after destruction of the original vegetation …

Isolation And Culture Of Epichloё Sp. For Re-Infection Of Endophyte-Free Southeastern Wildrye (Elymus Glabriflorus), B. J. Haile, J. I. Morrison

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Mutualistic relationships between endophytic fungi and grasses have shown to improve the hardiness of the host. This relationship is common in grasses, including native cool-season grasses that are important in both forage and grassland ecosystems. Elymus genus members, such as Canada wildrye (CAWR), commonly host the endophytic fungi, Epichloё, while southeastern wildrye (SEWR) may not. In this study, seed of ten Elymus accessions and seed and leaves from local SEWR were assessed for endophyte infection. Infection status was confirmed via seed squash and leaf peel techniques and assessed using microscopy. Seed of one SEWR and nine CAWR accessions were assessed …

Seed Quality Testing For Novel Endophyte Technology, N. S. Hill

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

Fungal endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala (Morgan-Jones & W.Gams)) in Kentucky-31 tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbyshire) produces ergot alkaloids that adversely affect livestock. Novel endophyte-infected tall fescue cultivars, with agronomic enhancing properties without livestock toxicity, are commercially available but producer perception and adoption of the technology has been apprehensive. Educational programs by the Alliance for Grassland Renewal were developed to promote use of the novel endophyte technology. Standards of endophyte quality in seed for existing and new novel technologies were established and used to educate producers and ancillary professionals in Alliance-sponsored schools. Surveys of the presentation on seed quality …

Improvement In The Nitrogen Use Efficiency And Uptake Of Perennial Ryegrass (Lolium Perenne) Caused By The Epichloë Fungal Endophyte Ar37, M. A. Harmer

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The forage yield and pasture persistence benefits of Epichloë fungal endophyte strain AR37 (AR37) in high rainfall perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pastures in Australia and New Zealand are recognised. However, the effect of beneficial endophytes on nitrogen (N) use efficiency, yield response to applied N and N uptake had not been determined.

To investigate this, a replicated trial was managed for three years under irrigation in southern Australia. Five N application rates (0, 20, 40, 80 and 160 kg N/ha) were applied every second harvest to a tetraploid perennial ryegrass variety with and without AR37. Ryegrass biomass was …

A Global Perspective Of Epichloë Endophyte Toxicity In Sown Pastures, David E. Hume, S. C. Finch

IGC Proceedings (1997-2023)

The asexual Epichloë fungal endophytes that form mutualistic, obligate, asymptomatic associations with ryegrasses (Lolium spp.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) are critical components of pastures in the USA, Australia and New Zealand. Research has convincingly demonstrated that these endophytes enhance agronomic performance of their grass hosts, due to protection from biotic and abiotic stresses such as insect pests and drought. However, although beneficial in terms of enhancing forage quantity, the widespread occurrence of ‘common-toxic’ strains of endophyte negatively impacts the quality of forage for livestock. These bioprotective and anti-quality properties are due to endophyte-expressed secondary metabolites. It …