Description
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 were highly favorable and considered “useful.” The number of seed lots tested for novel endophyte technology increased steadily once the Alliance-sponsored schools were implemented. Attempts to develop new technologies to provide alternatives to immunochemical testing for novel endophyte technologies are in progress.
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Seed Quality Testing for Novel Endophyte Technology
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 were highly favorable and considered “useful.” The number of seed lots tested for novel endophyte technology increased steadily once the Alliance-sponsored schools were implemented. Attempts to develop new technologies to provide alternatives to immunochemical testing for novel endophyte technologies are in progress.
