Effect of Neotyphodium Uncinatum Endophyte on Meadow Fescue Yielding, Health Status and Ergovaline Production in Host-Plants
2011
Pańka, Dariusz | Jeske, Małgorzata | Troczyński, Mikołaj
The objective of our research was to assess the beneficial impact of the Neotyphodium uncinatum (Gams, Petrini and Schmidt) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin endophyte on its natural host - meadow fescue. Assessment was made by measuring the green mass yield, the susceptibility of the host plants to infection by pathogens, and the content of the toxic alkaloid ergovaline, in field conditions. The research involved Justa meadow fescue. The studied factors were as follows: endophyte infection (E+ and E-) and system of use (for pasture and for cut). The effect of N. uncinatum on Justa meadow fescue yielding in all the combinations was observed. The presence of endophyte significantly enhanced higher yields of dry matter compared to the non-infested plants. The infestation of Justa meadow fescue by the endophyte, N. uncinatum, significantly protected the plants from infection of the fungi which causes leaf spot. The endophyte, however, did not affect the development of powdery mildew and rust fungi. Justa meadow fescue showed a relatively high content of ergovaline when grown in the field. The level of the toxin in the season varies a lot, which suggests a high effect of external factors on its production. Due to the production of the toxin, the animal feed made from infested plants can pose a threat to animals when administered over a long period. N. uncinatum isolates from Justa meadow fescue cannot be used as biological control agents to improve the growth and resistance of other cultivars, due to the production of ergovaline.
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