New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts

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Influence of the ryegrass endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii) in a cool moist environment. I. Pasture production

J. P. J. EERENS

AgResearch
Ruakura Agricultural Research Centre
Private Bag 3123
Hamilton, New Zealand

R. J. LUCAS

Department of Plant Science
Lincoln University
P. O. Box 84
Lincoln, New Zealand

H. S. EASTON

AgResearch
Grasslands Research Centre
Private Bag 11008
Palmerston North, New Zealand

J. G. H. WHITE

Department of Plant Science
Lincoln University
P. O. Box 84
Lincoln, New Zealand

Abstract  The ryegrass endophyte, which has been linked to animal disorders and increased pest resistance of its host in a range of environments in New Zealand, was studied in a field experiment in Southland, New Zealand. In contrast with other (warmer and/or drier) environments, the endophyte was found to have minimal effects on pasture production and composition in years with adequate summer rainfall, but endophyte did suppress clover growth (P = 0.028) under summer drought conditions. There was no difference between endophyte-infected and endophyte-free treatments for ryegrass tiller densities, number of clover growing points, total herbage production, herbage composition, and the chemical (elemental concentrations and digestibility) composition of ryegrass. The proportion of endophyte-infected tillers did not change significantly over a five year period, and peak lolitrem B (1.2 ppm) and ergovaline (0.8 ppm) concentrations in the ryegrass component were lower and the peramine (20 ppm) concentration similar to that reported elsewhere in New Zealand. It is concluded that, in the absence of significant endophyte effects on pasture production and composition, the decision to use endophyte-infected seed has to be based on an endophyte effect on animal production aspects.

Keywords  Neotyphodium lolii; white clover; pasture composition; pasture production; perennial ryegrass; Southland; Trifolium repens

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 1998, Vol. 41: 39-48

0028-8233/98/4101-0039 $7.00/0 (c) The Royal Society of New Zealand 1998

PDF file of entire paper: medium quality (733K); (scanned from paper original: notes about this process)

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