Publication Date
1997
Description
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 harmful to animals. It is likely that grasses infected with these strains may have improved growth and persistence and superior animal production compared with grasses which are endophyte-free or infected with non-selected endophytes.
Citation
Latch, G.C M. and Fletcher, L R., "Eneficial Use of Grasses Artificially Infected with Endophytes, Non-Toxic to Animals" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1993-2023). 31.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session11/31
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Eneficial Use of Grasses Artificially Infected with Endophytes, Non-Toxic to Animals
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 harmful to animals. It is likely that grasses infected with these strains may have improved growth and persistence and superior animal production compared with grasses which are endophyte-free or infected with non-selected endophytes.
