Endophytes Flashcards
What areas in NZ will NOT show benefits from using endophytes?
Cooler regions such as Southland
What is the effect of endophytes on tiller density?
Greater in the endophyte infected pasture
Where is endophyte likely to improve pasture production?
Summer dry environments and insect challenged environments
How does ASW (argentine stem weevil) damage grass plants?
mining the central psuedostem and growing points
How much more dry matter did a standard-infected perennial ryegrass produce than one with no endophyte (%)
38%
What pests does Loline protect from?
ASW, grass grub, porina
What pests does Janthitrems protect from?
ASW, porina, root aphid, black beetle, pasture mealy bug
What pests do ergovaline protect form?
Black beetle
What pests does Lolitrem B protect from?
None but may interact with other alkaloids to protect from pests
What pests does peramine protect from?
ASW
What is the effect of black beetle on grass and where is it found?
feed on the roots underground, found in the central/upper North Island
What is the effect of grass grub and where is it found?
feed on the roots, found all over NZ
What is the mechanism which endophytes use to protect against insect pests?
produce alkaloids which minimize the amount of eggs being laid and the amount of feeding that larvae can do on the plant
What is the main alkaloid in Tall/Meadow Fescue
Lolines
What month is peramine in the highest concentration in ryegrass?
November
Explain the endophyte life cycle and transmission
Endophytes live in the seed. As the seed germinates, endophytes grow into the shoot and emerging tiller. The endophyte lives at the base of the plant/growing point. As new tillers get initiated the endophyte emerges and elongates with the tiller into the seed again as the plant becomes reproductive.
Define endophyte
Epichloe species. It is a fungus found inside perennial ryegrass and fescue plants which have a symbiotic relationship with the plant
How does a water deficit effect ergovaline and Lolitrem B concentrations in grass?
increases
How much higher did endophyte-infected ryegrass yield than non-infected in Summer and Autumn?
Summer - 20% + . Autumn 30%+
How much economic damage does the ASW cause to NZ pasture annually?
$46-200 million
What time of year does Ryegrass Staggers usually occur?
late summer/autumn
What is the effect of Lolitrem B on animals?
Blocks ion channels to prevent heart cells firing - tremogenic compound causing loss of control over muscles. Effects the motility of the gut, causing malabsorption of nutrients resulting in more dags. Ryegrass staggers.
Where can ergovaline be stored in Animals bodies?
Liver, kidneys, fat tissue