Quick Dips

Fungal Breakthrough

A team of scientists has isolated a strain of endophyte fungus free of the toxin that causes ryegrass staggers.

Endophyte fungi can protect grass against pest attacks and provide greater tolerance to drought. They are also believed to stimulate pasture growth. Some endophyte fungi, however, produce chemicals that cause diseases in livestock. One such disease is ryegrass staggers, a severe neuro-muscular disorder that causes stock deaths and major production losses.

A Palmerston North-based team from DSIR Plant Protection has isolated a strain of fungus called `Endosafe' which does not cause staggers but which still protects grass against the Argentine stem weevil. Ryegrass containing Endosafe has been successfully tested and will be commercially available next autumn.

The research team, headed by Dr Gary Latch, is also involved in research to select an endophyte which will overcome fescue foot. Fescue foot afflicts cattle grazing on tall fescue and is a particular problem in the US, where 10 to 12 million hectares are sown in tall fescue. Dr Latch was invited to spend three weeks at the US National Germplasm Centre to further his research in this area.

"What the DSIR is striving to do is develop a strain of tall fescue that contains an endophyte which, like Endosafe, retains all its valuable properties but is non-toxic to animals," says Dr Latch. "With tall fescue now also being grown in drought-prone regions of New Zealand, farmers here would benefit as well."