Comparison and Diet Preference of Novel Endophyte‐Infected Tall Fescue Cultivars

Abstract

A fungal endophyte, Epichloë coenophiala (Morgan‐Jones & W. Gams) C.W. Bacon & Schardl, naturally infects tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.]. The common, toxic endophyte produces ergot alkaloids that cause the livestock disorder known as tall fescue toxicosis. Strains of E. coenophiala that produce little or no toxic ergot alkaloids are referred to as “novel” endophyte associations and offer a solution to tall fescue toxicosis. The objective of this study was to determine differences in animal preference and ground cover among commercially available novel endophyte‐infected tall fescue cultivars. Six cultivars of novel tall fescue and controls of common, toxic endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free tall fescue were evaluated for animal preference, forage mass, forage removal, forage quality, and ground cover during a 2‐yr grazing trial at Linneus, MO. Plots were grazed over nine grazing events by beef cattle (Bos spp.) during the 2‐yr study, and some animals were fitted with GPS collars to determine which cultivar was grazed first and most often. ‘BarOptima’, a soft‐leaf cultivar, was grazed first and most frequently. Forage mass, forage removal, and forage quality measurements of crude protein, acid detergent fiber, and neutral detergent fiber were similar among cultivars. Ground cover increased each year of the study, even though seed production was inhibited. In addition, rust (Puccinia spp.) susceptibility differed among cultivars. Under this management system, which used up to 24‐h grazing periods and at least 8‐cm stubble height, animal preference was not based on endophyte status.

Interseeding annual warm‐season grasses into temperate pasturelands: Forage accumulation and composition

“…Our results showed it was possible to interseed annual warm‐season grasses in each environment (particularly humid pasturelands) without suppressing or partially killing the perennial if harvested after primary tillers elongated and flowered in spring. A challenge to interseeding tall fescue stands harvested after primary tillers elongate and flower in spring (Table 2) would likely be the presence of a fungal endophyte, Epichloë coenophiala (Morgan‐Jones and Gams) Bacon and Schardl, that lives in mutualism with the plant but produces toxic ergot alkaloids (Dillard, Smith, & Hancock, 2019; Kenyon et al., 2018; Kenyon et al., 2019). Large variability in ergot alkaloid content occurs across years, within seasons, and between cultivars (Dillard et al., 2019).…”

“…Large variability in ergot alkaloid content occurs across years, within seasons, and between cultivars (Dillard et al., 2019). It will be important to test fields for ergot alkaloid content to determine risk of cutting and feeding hay (Dillard et al., 2019) and consider replanting with a novel endophyte‐infected tall fescue cultivar that produces little or no toxic ergot alkaloids (Kenyon et al., 2019). Cutting tall fescue while vegetative at a stubble height >5 cm to increase the proportion of leaf blade would also reduce ergot alkaloid concentrations (Kenyon et al., 2018).…”

Inoculation of Barley (Hordeum vulgare) with the Endophyte Epichloë bromicola Affects Plant Growth, and the Microbial Community in Roots and Rhizosphere Soil

“…Conversely, "Monad" wheat (Triticum aestivum) infected with an Epichloë strain sourced from Elymus dahuricus subspecies excelsus-strain AR3060 were stunted or dwarfed [47]. Moreover, Kenyon [48] observed no differences in annual dry matter (DM) production for E− and E+ tall fescue. This indicates that Epichloë is triggering some form of host response, and this response varies according to the genotype of the individual host plant.…”

Epichloë bromicola from wild barley improves salt-tolerance of cultivated barley by altering physiological responses to salt stress

“…Many studies have shown the benefits of Epichloë endophytes in agricultural systems; however, most studies focused on major pasture grass species (Johnson et al, 2013 ; Le Cocq et al, 2017 ; Kenyon et al, 2019 ). For example, several Epichloë endophyte strains (i.e., MaxQ ® , MaxP ® , AR1, and AR37) have been used to artificially inoculate tall fescue and perennial ryegrass with similar benefits, which have been successfully commercialized in New Zealand, South America, Australia, and the United States (Johnson et al, 2013 ; Young et al, 2013 ; Lugtenberg et al, 2016 ).…”