Evaluating the performance of endophytes in farm systems to improve farmer outcomes - a review

2012 ◽  
Vol 63 (10) ◽  
pp. 927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Errol R. Thom ◽  
Alison J. Popay ◽  
David E. Hume ◽  
Lester R. Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Small Animal ◽  
Fungal Endophyte ◽  
Feeding Experiments ◽  
Grass Endophyte ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Minimum Requirements

The main plant species relied on for forage supply to grazing animals in New Zealand and south-eastern Australia is perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Perennial ryegrass has evolved with a fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii, Latch, Christensen & Samuals) that occupies intercellular spaces, and is nourished by its host. The endophyte (referred to as standard or wild-type) provides the plant with protection from a range of insect pests by producing alkaloids, some of which are also toxic to grazing animals, causing ryegrass staggers and/or exacerbating heat stress. Over the last 20 years naturally occurring perennial ryegrass endophytes have been found in Europe that produce less of the alkaloids that cause animal health problems but have similar or enhanced effects as the standard endophyte on deterring insect attack on infected plants, when introduced into New Zealand and Australian-bred ryegrasses. This review provides a summary of endophyte research in New Zealand from the perspective of insect pests, plants (particularly perennial ryegrass) and the animals grazed on ryegrass-dominant pastures. The protocols used to evaluate perennial ryegrass/endophyte associations over the past 30 years are also discussed. Future testing of new grass/endophyte associations should include the utilisation of more environments for agronomic and entomological experiments; routinely carrying out small animal toxicology assays, and the running of short-term indoor feeding experiments with sheep and cows. Implementation of these changes provides the minimum requirements for strengthening the evaluation of new endophyte associations so farmers using these technologies, gain optimal benefits from their adoption.

A survey of ryegrass endophyte (Acremonium loliae) in the U.K. and its apparent ineffectually on a seedling pest

1986 ◽  
Vol 107 (3) ◽  
pp. 633-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. C. Lewis ◽  
R. O. Clements
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Domestic Livestock ◽  
Major Pest ◽  
Small Plot ◽  
Overwinter Mortality

SUMMARYAcremonium loliaeis an endophytic fungus which infects plants of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne), an important pasture grass in New Zealand and much of Western Europe. In New Zealand the endophyte–ryegrass association was found recently to give rise to tremorgenic substances (lolitrem A and B), which are the cause of a serious disorder of grazing and domestic livestock there. The endophyte also confers resistance in ryegrass plants to certain insect pests in New Zealand and enhances plant growth even in the absence of pests. In the present work 61 swards at 52 widespread sites in the U.K. were checked for the presence of endophyte mycelium, and it was found in 14 swards, of which 12 were at least 15 years old. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests confirmed that the fungus wasA. loliae.Also, lolitrem B was detected in plants from most of the sites where the mycelium was found; this appears to be the first time this tremorgen has been reported in the U.K. or perhaps in Europe. In a small-plot experiment at two sites with newly sown perennial ryegrass the endophyte appeared to have no effect on infestation by frit fly larvae, a major pest of seedling ryegrass plants. Also, in the present work, the endophyte had no measurable effect on the growth or overwinter mortality of larvae.

scholarly journals Black beetle damage to perennial ryegrass infected with AR1 endophyte

2001 ◽  
pp. 267-271 ◽  
Author(s):  
A.J. Popay ◽  
J.G. Baltus
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Field Trials ◽  
Fungal Endophyte ◽  
Reproductive Capacity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Adult Feeding ◽  
Important Pest ◽  
Pot Trial ◽  
Beetle Damage

AR1 is a new fungal endophyte that is being released in perennial ryegrass to New Zealand farmers. This endophyte lacks the mammalian toxins, ergovaline and lolitrem B, but produces peramine which provides resistance to a major ryegrass pest, Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis). Black beetle (Heteronychus arator) is another important pest of ryegrass in northern areas of New Zealand. Adults are selective feeders, and avoid feeding on ryegrass infected with wildtype endophyte. A limited supply of suitable food greatly reduces their reproductive capacity. Laboratory and field investigations were therefore carried out to evaluate the degree of resistance to black beetle provided by AR1. Assessments of adult black beetle feeding were made on two field trials planted in autumn 1999. In both trials, adult feeding was significantly higher on ryegrass infected with AR1 than on ryegrass with wild-type but also significantly lower on AR1 than on endophyte-free ryegrass. In a pot trial conducted in summer, black beetle adult damage to 4-week-old AR1-infected ryegrass was no different from damage to endophyte-free plants. However in 6-month-old plants, damage to AR1 plants was significantly less than to endophyte-free plants and was similar to damage levels on wild-type plants. A further pot trial showed that beetles overwintering on AR1 ryegrass had a higher reproductive capacity than those overwintering on wild-type infected ryegrass. In February 2001, two field trials planted the previous June were sampled for black beetle larvae. Black beetle presence was significantly higher on endophyte-free plots than on wild-type plots, with presence on AR1 intermediate between these treatments. Ryegrass infected with AR1, although showing a degree of resistance to black beetle compared with endophyte-free ryegrass, is more susceptible to damage than wild-type, particularly in its first year of planting. Limited data indicate that older AR1 swards may have similar resistance to that of the wild-type but further research is needed to clarify the effect of stand maturity on black beetle damage to ryegrass infected with this new endophyte. Keywords: AR1, black beetle, endophyte, Heteronychus, Listronotus, Neotyphodium, ryegrass

Detection and characterisation of novel fungal endophyte genotypic variation in cultivars of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.)

2008 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 214 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. van Zijll de Jong ◽  
M. P. Dobrowolski ◽  
A. Sandford ◽  
K. F. Smith ◽  
M. J. Willocks ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Expressed Sequence Tag ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Fungal Endophyte ◽  
In Planta ◽  
Pasture Grass ◽  
Grass Endophyte ◽  
Incomplete Removal ◽  
Genotypic Analysis ◽  
Mammalian Herbivore

Alkaloids produced by the perennial ryegrass pasture and turf grass endophyte Neotyphodium lolii confer both beneficial (insect feeding deterrence) and deleterious (mammalian herbivore toxicoses) effects. Novel endophyte strains with altered and desirable in planta metabolic profiles have been introduced into cultivars by inoculation. The potentially severe effects of contamination with standard toxic endophytes provide an important incentive for quality control during varietal development. Genotyping with expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers in order to monitor endophyte content was evaluated in this study. The NEA2 endophyte, described as producing low levels of lolitrem B and moderate quantities of ergovaline and peramine, has been deployed in the cultivar (cv.) Tolosa and transferred to other proprietary varieties by crossing or controlled inoculation. In planta genotypic analysis of cv. Tolosa-derived plants revealed the presence of 2 distinct NEA2 genotypes (A and B). Variable proportions of NEA2 A and B were observed at different stages of cultivar multiplication, and NEA2 B was present in inoculated varieties. Several accessions also revealed the presence of a third genotype (C), identical to standard toxic types. Alkaloid measurement in plants containing individual A and B endophytes identified distinct profiles which collectively account for the average NEA2 profile. The C variant is apparently a contaminant arising from seed or adventitious seedlings during varietal multiplication or incomplete removal of endophyte from seed before inoculation. SSR-based genotyping provides an efficient means to continuously assess endophyte prevalence and identity in pasture grass breeding programs.

scholarly journals Exploring endophyte compatibility in perennial ryegrass

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 143-146
Author(s):  
M.J. Faville ◽  
A. Koulman ◽  
L. Briggs ◽  
M. Cao ◽  
C. Podmore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Metabolic Profiling ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Mapping Population ◽  
Fungal Endophyte ◽  
Phenotypic Data ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Level 3 ◽  
Trait Locus ◽  
Mycelial Mass

The association between perennial ryegrass (PRG) and fungal endophyte is an important factor in the protection of New Zealand pastures from insect pests, and the genetic background of the host plant significantly affects endophyte performance. Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis of phenotypic data from herbage harvested from a mapping population in autumn 2005 identified loci in the PRG genome influencing three traits: (1) endophyte mycelial mass; (2) ergovaline level; (3) peramine level. Three QTL were identified for each trait. For mycelial mass two QTL accounted for more than 75% of the variation (PV) for in the population and have considerable potential for development as pre-inoculation marker-assisted selection (MAS) tools for endophyte colonisation in PRG breeding programmes. The largest-effect QTL for peramine level (18% PV) coincided with a major mycelial mass QTL, implying peramine concentration is partly determined by endophyte colonisation. All other alkaloid QTL, however, were independent of mycelial mass, indicating it may be possible to develop MAS that will facilitate breeding for alkaloid phenotype, independent of the degree of endophyte colonisation. Keywords: DIMS, ELISA, Lolium, map, metabolic profiling, Neotyphodium, SSR

scholarly journals The production of loline alkaloids in artificial and natural grass/endophyte associations

1999 ◽  
Vol 52 ◽  
pp. 264-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.J. -P Ball ◽  
B.A. Tapper
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Host Resistance ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Natural Grass ◽  
Grass Endophyte ◽  
Loline Alkaloids

Infection of grasses by Neotyphodium spp. endophytes is associated with the presence of alkaloids. This study investigated the production of loline alkaloids in endophyte-infected tall fescue, meadow fescue and perennial ryegrass. Most of the grass/endophyte associations were artificially created by inoculating parent plants with different Neotyphodium endophytes. The presence of lolines was dependent upon endophyte species and strain, but host species also influenced which lolines were produced. Concentrations of the different lolines, and the ratio at which they occurred, were also dependent upon endophyte isolate and host species. These findings are significant given that lolines contribute to host resistance against some insect pests.

Fluctuations in the concentration of ergovaline and lolitrem B produced by the wild-type endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) pasture

2011 ◽  
Vol 51 (12) ◽  
pp. 1098 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. F. M. Reed ◽  
Z. N. Nie ◽  
L. V. Walker ◽  
G. Kearney
Keyword(s):  
Seed Development ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum Temperature ◽  
Daily Maximum ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Neotyphodium Lolii ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Lolitrem B

Mammalian toxins produced by the wild-type endophyte, Neotyphodium lolii, in perennial ryegrass (PRG) pasture cause production losses and animal health and welfare problems in livestock. Managing this risk is limited by the lack of information on fluctuations in the concentration of toxin in Australian pasture. We investigated how the toxin concentrations may be related to recent observations of weather. Swards sown from common seedlots of two cultivars of wild endophyte-infected PRG, grazed short by sheep, were sampled at 2–4 weekly intervals from spring to autumn at two sites in Victoria. The highest concentration of ergovaline and lolitrem B was observed at Hamilton, the site with the longer-growing season. The concentration of ergovaline peaked in early summer, coinciding with seed development, and declined through summer, before increasing with the commencement of autumn growth. The concentration of lolitrem B remained low in summer, then rose in autumn. Variation between the two cultivars in the concentration of toxins was small and rarely significant. The concentration of ergovaline declined as the mean daily maximum temperature over the preceding 1–5 days increased. Similarly, for lolitrem B, the concentration declined over the temperature range 12−20°C, from 1.3 to 0.3 mg/kg. At Hamilton, where solar radiation and soil temperature were recorded, both were superior to maximum temperature for predicting lolitrem B. Serial sampling of PRG from old naturalised pasture on seven farms across south-eastern Australia found two seasonal peaks for both alkaloids in most pastures. The concentration of ergovaline reached or exceeded tolerance levels for livestock in 23 of 43 samples, compared with 5 of 43 for lolitrem B. Ergovaline concentrations initially peaked (at 1.0–1.6 mg/kg) when mature reproductive material was present (coinciding with peduncle elongation and seed development). In pastures with low grazing pressure, i.e. where growth was allowed to continue through summer, ergovaline concentration was relatively low (<0.7 mg/kg) but in a hard-grazed pasture (sward height 3 cm), the ergovaline concentration was greater (up to 1.1 mg/kg). Concentration of lolitrem B also peaked in December, except on pasture where growth continued through summer. High concentrations of lolitrem B associated with neurotoxic signs in sheep (viz. 2.4–3.9 mg/kg) were observed only in mid-summer and autumn, and only if conditions favoured growth or where close grazing by sheep left the crown as the dominant source of herbage.

Agronomic advantages conferred by endophyte infection of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Hume ◽  
J. C. Sewell
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Endophyte Infection

Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are key grasses of sown pastures in the high-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Ryegrass in naturalised pastures, and in sown seed, is widely infected with Neotyphodium fungal endophytes, with toxic endophyte strains occasionally causing toxicosis in livestock. Endophyte infection is also beneficial in sown grasslands, assisting ryegrass hosts to overcome biotic stresses, and tall fescue hosts to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses. We review the literature for Australia and present new data, to examine the agronomic effects of endophyte. Frequency of endophyte infection in old, perennial ryegrass pastures and ecotype-based cultivars is high and, in all pastures, increases with time, providing evidence for endophyte-infected plants having an agronomic advantage over endophyte-free plants. Within a cultivar, agronomic field experiments have compared endophyte-infected with endophyte-free swards. Endophyte significantly improved ryegrass establishment in seven of 19 measurements taken from 12 trials. In mature ryegrass pastures, over half of the experiments found advantages to endophyte infection. Tall fescues infected with a selected endophyte (‘AR542’) had improved agronomic performance relative to endophyte-free in a majority of experiments, and on occasions, the endophyte was essential for tall fescue persistence. Cultivar × endophyte interactions occurred but were inconsistent. In high-stress environments, endophyte was more important for agronomic performance than difference between cultivars. The relative importance of cultivar and endophyte is discussed, with elite cultivars that are adapted to the region and are infected with elite endophytes being the best avenue to capture the benefits and minimise detrimental endophyte effects on livestock. The major drivers are likely to be insect pests and drought, but evidence is limited.

Modelling perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) persistence and productivity for the Upper North Island under current and future climate

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pierre Beukes ◽  
Andrea Babylon ◽  
Wendy Griffiths ◽  
Simon Woodward ◽  
Electra Kalaugher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Ground Cover ◽  
Climate Data ◽  
Coastal Regions ◽  
Far North ◽  
Future Performance ◽  
Soil Water Holding Capacity ◽  
The Town ◽  
Water Holding

The objective of this study was to predict the future performance of perennial ryegrass in the Upper North Island, New Zealand. The Basic Grassland model, BASGRA, was used with historic, current and future daily climate data as input, and soil water holding capacity, to predict changes in perennial ryegrass performance in space and time. The study focussed on land of ≤7° slope north of the town of Tokoroa and considered two potential warming pathways to the end of the 21st century. Persistence was defined as the time in years for the ryegrass sward to decline to 50% ground cover. The results for the two climate pathways were largely consistent with each other. Persistence should remain in the medium category (2.5-3.4 years, 10-12 t DM/ha) for the rest of this century for Bay of Islands, Whangarei, South Waikato/Tokoroa, and Rotorua. Persistence is predicted to change from medium to predominantly low (0-2.4 years, <10 t DM/ha) for Far North, Dargaville, DairyFlat/Rodney, Waiuku/Pukekohe and northern and central parts of Waikato. Coastal regions of Bay of Plenty were predicted to be poorly suited to perennial ryegrass and to remain so into the rest of the century. Large parts of the Upper North Island that are currently borderline for perennial ryegrass are predicted to become unsuitable for the species.

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