Endophyte: For Increased Insect Control
What is an Endophyte?
It can be naturally found in ryegrass and tall fescue pastures, helping to protect the plants from insect damage
Image credits to: wikifarmer.com
Endophytes
Some of New Zealand’s farming environments may require novel endophytes as part of their perennial ryegrass.
Endophyte can be naturally found in ryegrass and tall fescue pastures, helping to protect the plants from insect damage.
Endophyte provides the plant with some protection from insects, and in return, the plant provides the endophyte a place to live and reproduce
Endophyte is a fungus that lives naturally in the plant found in the seed, and base of the plant as it germinates and grows and produces chemicals (alkaloids) that can ward off insects. Some alkaloids that the endophyte produces can be bad for animal health/performance, which is why seed companies have developed ‘novel endophytes’ – selecting strains of the known chemical compounds with the aim being a higher proportion of the good ones that protect against pests and help improve persistence, and no or limited amounts of the bad ones that impact animal health.
If you do require an endophyte, it's essential to choose the right endophyte for your farm, depending on regional needs and pest challenges. Some endophytes, like RGT18, AR37 and NEA, NEA2, NEA4, NEA12, are best for pests like the black beetle, where insect pressures are low ryegrass with AR1 endophyte is an option for better animal health and production. Pastures with the AR1 endophyte are protected against Argentine stem weevil and pasture mealy bug but deliver only a low or no level of control against black beetle, RGT18 enhances ryegrass tolerance to Argentine stem weevil and Porina, both significant pasture pests that negatively affect productivity and persistence. Additionally, Black beetle, another major pest, primarily affects certain regions of the North Island; however, RGT18 can help farmers mitigate its impact on their systems
The endophyte produces chemical compounds which help protect plants from a range of insects but can be associated with animal health problems, especially ryegrass staggers. There are different types of endophytes, and each varies in persistence, yield, and insect protection.
Endophytes can help to enhance the yield and persistence of ryegrass when consistent pest pressure is a problem because endophytes produce a number of compounds that are toxic to various insects.
Always consider animal health and select endophytes if required that minimize health issues, especially ryegrass staggers.
Novel (or selected) endophytes like RGT18, AR37 and the NEA’s provide a way of helping to avoid animal health problems associated with ryegrass infected with the Standard or Wild type endophyte (Neotyphodium lolii), while helping to maintain positive effects on plant persistence.
It is important to note that endophytes are not suitable where deer or horses graze.
Always Sow insect treated seed If Grass Grub, Argentine Stem Weevil, or Black Beetle Adults are present at sowing, an appropriate seed treatment is recommended to improve insect control during establishment.
The above table and for further information is on the PBRA website
Types of Endophytes
Types of endophytes:
AR1 is a selected endophyte strain that produces only peramine, used where insect pressures are low, ryegrass with AR1 endophyte is an option for animal health and production. Pastures with the AR1 endophyte are protected against Argentine stem weevil and pasture mealy bug but deliver only a low to no level of control against black beetle, AR1 pastures are susceptible to Root Aphid. AR1 has long been regarded as the gold standard for animal safety among novel endophytes.
NEA, NEA2, and NEA4 are selected endophyte strains (novel endophytes) that produce peramine and small quantities of ergovaline. They do not cause ryegrass staggers, and offer protection from pasture mealy bugs, some protection against Argentine stem weevil and black beetle, and weak protection against root aphids.
AR37 provides a wide spectrum of insect control and has some animal health issues. It gives very good control of Argentine stem weevil (ASW), pasture mealy bug and root aphid with good control of black beetle. It provides a level of porina control, AR37 must not be used for horses or deer because of its animal health issues.
RGT18 can be used for regions dealing with black beetle challenges affecting pasture persistence. RGT18 enhances ryegrass tolerance to Argentine stem weevil and Porina, both significant pasture pests that negatively affect productivity and persistence. RGT18 is a new breed of novel endophytes that not only enhances insect tolerance but also significantly reduces negative impacts on animals compared to previous endophytes with similar insect tolerances. Extensive research reviewed by the ETC has confirmed that RGT18 is equally safe for grazing livestock.
Standard endophyte (SE) is sometimes called 'Wild endophyte ' it is not recommended. Standard endophyte can cause severe ryegrass staggers, reduces lamb LWG, causes ill thrift in lambs, increases dags and flystrike, and has been shown to reduce milk solids production.