New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research abstracts
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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