The Endophyte Lifecycle a leaf tissue As the nlant arows into a mature vegetative state.endophvte is found concentrated in the basel stems of its tillers.When the plant goes reproductive,endophyte grows up the reproductive stem and into the seed head to re-infect the seed. At no stage is endophyte able to move out of.or survive outside the host plant or seed. The Endophyte Lifecycle e in the roots Endophyte Toxins Endophytes produce a range of alkaloids that are knov to have on both in sect pests and ing animal sheep The three main alkaloi identified in ryegrass Chemical Effect on insects Effect on animals Peramine Deters insect pests,especially None known feeding and egg laying 0 Argentine S Lolitrem B Deters ASW larvae feeding. Causes ryegrass staggers,a nervous disorder in animals. Ergovaline Provides regulation naNmo3Pa ea ng resp tes,espes ally in animals reduce intake and growth rates. 0 Agricom(New Zealand)Ltd,2004The Endophyte Lifecycle Endophyte is found in the embryo of infected grass seed. When the seed is sown and germinates, the endophyte grows out of the seed and into the emerging leaf tissue. As the plant grows into a mature vegetative state, endophyte is found concentrated in the basel stems of its tillers. When the plant goes reproductive, endophyte grows up the reproductive stem and into the seed head to re-infect the seed. At no stage is endophyte able to move out of, or survive outside the host plant or seed. In infected seed, endophyte is found in the embryo As the seed germinates, the endophyte grows into the emerging leaf Endophyte is concentrated in the base of the plant,not in the roots. When the grass goes reproductive, the endophyte grows up the stem and into the seed head The Endophyte Lifecycle Endophyte Toxins Endophytes produce a range of alkaloids that are known to have effects on both insect pests and grazing animals such as sheep cattle, deer and horses. The three main alkaloids identified in ryegrass endophyte as playing an important role in these effects are: Chemical Effect on insects Effect on animals Peramine Deters insect pests, especially feeding and egg laying of Argentine Stem Weevil (ASW), a major pasture pest in New Zealand None known Lolitrem B Deters ASW larvae feeding. Causes ryegrass staggers, a nervous disorder in animals. Ergovaline Provides resistance to Black Beetle, a major pasture pest in northern New Zealand Affects temperature regulation, increasing respiration rates, especially in warm and humid conditions. In response, animals reduce intake and growth rates. -2- © Agricom (New Zealand) Ltd, 2004