ENDOPHYTE-INFECTED FESTUCA PRATENSIS CONTAINING LOLINE ALKALOIDS DETERS FEEDING BY LISTRONOTUS BONARIENSIS

摘要

Meadow fescue, Festuca pratensis, infected with Neotyphodium uncinatum contains loline alkaloids that may deter attack from pasture insects. In a field experiment conducted in Canterbury, high leaf loline alkaloid concentration reduced damage by Argentine stem weevil (AS W; Listronotus bonariensis) adults to 12 unique endophyte-infected meadow fescue ecotypes at four assessment times (Dec-Apr; R~2_(adj)= 48.9, P<0.001). In laboratory experiments, AS W adults caused significantly more (P<0.05) feedingdamage (number of leaf holes) to nil-endophyte (Fp53) than to endophyte-infected meadow fescue (Fp345). Endophyte-infected Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass 'Bronsyn') sustained least damage.