An endophyte is a fungus found naturally in many grass species, including ryegrass. It provides the plant with protection from insects, and in return the plant provides the endophyte with a place to live and reproduce.
Isaac Berry, DLF Seeds Product Development Manager, discusses how the use of an endophyte provides ongoing protection.
"While a pasture seed treatment such as Ultrastrike® will protect your pasture from insects during establishment (0-6 weeks), an endophyte provides the plant with protection from eight weeks onwards," he said.
How an endophyte protects your pasture
Tim Calder, a farmer from Meeniyan Victoria, has had great success protecting his pasture against African Black Beetle with AR37 endophyte (after sowing Base AR37).
"Several years ago, African Black Beetle appeared on our farm, decimating our Italian and some permanent ryegrass pastures which brought about a change in pasture variety selection on our farm.
“I wanted a tetraploid perennial that was persistent, palatable and responsive to summer and early autumn rains. Having evaluated several varieties on our farm, I now use Base tetraploid perennial ryegrass with AR37 endophyte almost exclusively in our pasture improvement programme.
“A particular feature of it, is its persistency (I have many paddocks untouched for over five years) and its ability to maintain feed quality into the early summer. It has also been a reliable performer in producing good quality silage in large quantities with up to three cuts on some out paddocks," explained Tim.
Isaac discussed the benefits of using viable endophytes.
“Ryegrass and tall fescue with viable endophytes, provide grass with excellent insect protection resulting in improved persistence, greater durability, higher yields and increased profitability of Australian pastures,” he said.
“Viable endophyte means that the grass has live endophyte at the required infection rate to provide excellent insect protection.”
DLF Seeds have supplied the market with novel endophytic grasses for over 25 years^ and have developed the research, knowledge and understanding of how to ensure we deliver viable endophyte (percentage of live endophyte) in the seed we supply.
Endophyte technology has advanced significantly since the 1980s and we have continued to help develop novel endophytes providing long-term pasture persistence and protection from pests, with reduced animal health issues that farmers require.
AR37: Takes ryegrass pasture persistence and protection to a premium level.
Pests controlled: Argentine Stem Weevil Larvae, Pasture Mealy Bug, Adult Black Beetle and Root Aphid.
Available in: Base, Reason, One50, Vast, Legion#, Platform# and Expo perennial and Mohaka hybrid ryegrass.
Benefits of ryegrass with AR37 endophyte:
- Provides the best balance of pasture production and persistence
- Higher tiller density over time
- Assists with post-drought recovery and improves agronomic performance
- Provides stronger control of more insect pests compared to ryegrass cultivars containing AR1 or standard endophyte
- May produce greater carcass weight per hectare compared to ryegrass cultivars containing standard endophyte (SE)
- Increased total dry matter production compared to ryegrass cultivars containing AR1 or nil endophyte
- Has no Ergovaline so may increase milk production compared to endophytes containing high Ergovaline levels
- Increased sheep performance compared to ryegrass cultivars containing standard endophyte
- Low incidence of dags in sheep (similar to that of cultivars containing AR1 endophyte)
ENDO5: Good pest control and no known risk of ryegrass staggers.
Pests controlled: Black Beetle, Argentine Stem Weevil Larvae, Root Aphid (moderate control) and Pasture Mealy Bug. (Comparatively, AR37 has demonstrated stronger protection against pests and insects).
Available in: Reward perennial ryegrass.
AR1: A novel endophyte option with high animal performance and no known animal health issues.
Pests controlled: Argentine Stem Weevil and Pasture Mealy Bug.
Available in: Platform*, Legion* and One50 perennial ryegrass.
MaxP®: A premium endophyte protecting tall fescue with no known animal health impacts for beef, sheep and dairy.
Pests controlled: African Black Beetle, Agrentine Stem Weevil, Root Aphid and limited control of Field Cricket.
Available in: Quantica, Hummer and Quantum II tall fescue.
Note: *AR37 varieties should not be used or fed to any other classes of stock other than sheep, beef and dairy (do not feed to grazing horses/monogastrics).
Note: For important information on endophyte insect control and animal safety, visit dlfseeds.com.au/advice/pasture/endophytes.
*Due to small number of tip awns, Legion and Platform is certified Lolium boucheanum.
^Led as PGG Wrightson Seeds Pty Ltd and its predecessors.
This article was written by DLF Seeds for Seasons magazine.
Please note: this article contains information of a general nature, and does not take into account your personal objectives, situation or needs. Before acting on any information, you should consider the appropriateness of the information provided, and seek advice on whether it is fit for your circumstances.