The Science Required to DeliverEpichloëEndophytes to Commerce

The Impact of Alkaloid-Producing Epichloë Endophyte on Forage Ryegrass Breeding: A New Zealand Perspective

“…DLF ( ) market Edge, an Epichloë festucae var lolii that produces high peramine, low lolitrem B and ergovaline (potentially similar to nea2); and an Epichloë coenophiala called Protek that produces low ergovaline and loline, and is derived from (and for) tall fescue (2017 Australian plant breeders rights); and an Epichloë siegelii called Happe, a meadow fescue endophyte from Germany that produces lolines and is suitable for use in some ryegrass offering protection against porina [ 34 ]. Meanwhile, AgResearch extended their species range through the discovery of AR501, a non-ergovaline-producing tall fescue endophyte, which they superseded with AR542 and AR584 and market as MaxP and MaxQ [ 35 ] for use in fescue, and Barenbrug (barusa.com) came out with a similar product E34 ® . Although a couple of different Epichloë species above are being sold in ryegrass (U2 and Happe), it is generally recognised that switching host species for an endophyte is difficult and usually results in gross symbiotic changes that render the relationship unmarketable [ 13 ].…”

“…Its commercial success is demonstrated by expansion of its first designed use in New Zealand to Australia, South America, and South Africa. Development of Epichloë for Fescues, for example MaxQ and MaxQII [ 35 ], has further extended the use to North American markets. There is also a renewed interest in Europe for the use of endophytes as biological control agents due to increasing constraints on synthetic chemical use.…”

A Tale of Two Grass Species: Temperature Affects the Symbiosis of a Mutualistic Epichloë Endophyte in Both Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass

“…Since this era, a great deal of fundamental research was undertaken with respect to the endophyte's biology, chemistry and genetic diversity (Johnson et al, 2013). This knowledge led a NZ government-owned institute, AgResearch Limited, to develop an endophyte bioprospecting pipeline that identifies, characterizes and selects agriculturally beneficial strains (those that produce bio-protective properties to the host while conferring notably low or no detriment to grazing livestock) that can be incorporated into elite grass cultivars and marketed for increased pasture persistence and productivity (Johnson et al, 2013;Card et al, 2014;Bonth et al, 2015;Johnson and Caradus, 2019).…”

“…One of the most challenging steps in developing Epichloë endophytes for commerce is the ability to transfer suitable fungal strains from their original wild grass host to elite grass cultivars (Easton, 2007;Johnson and Caradus, 2019). The strain designated as AR1 was one of the first endophytes to be commercialized in 2001 (Johnson et al, 2013;Johnson and Caradus, 2019) and by 2008 over 70% of the proprietary seed sold in NZ was infected with this agriculturally beneficial fungal strain (Caradus et al, 2013). AR1 primarily produces the alkaloid peramine, which is responsible for insect deterrence, particularly toward Argentine stem weevil (ASW) while expressing no animal toxicity Fletcher, 1999).…”

“…AR1 primarily produces the alkaloid peramine, which is responsible for insect deterrence, particularly toward Argentine stem weevil (ASW) while expressing no animal toxicity Fletcher, 1999). The next leap in endophyte discovery arrived with the advent of epoxyjanthitrems, a unique indole diterpene compound with a wider range of insect deterrence than peramine and in 2006, strain AR37, a producer of this class of alkaloid was released onto the NZ market (Caradus et al, 2013;Johnson et al, 2013;Hennessy et al, 2016;Johnson and Caradus, 2019). No other major secondary metabolites with invertebrate bioactivity have been identified within this fungal taxon.…”