Unknown

Dataset Information

0

Epichloe Endophyte Infection rates and Alkaloid Content in Commercially Available Grass Seed Mixtures in Europe.


ABSTRACT: Fungal endophytes of the genus Epichloë live symbiotically in cool season grass species and can produce alkaloids toxic to insects and vertebrates, yet reports of intoxication of grazing animals have been rare in Europe in contrast to overseas. However, due to the beneficial resistance traits observed in Epichloë infected grasses, the inclusion of Epichloë in seed mixtures might become increasingly advantageous. Despite the toxicity of fungal alkaloids, European seed mixtures are rarely tested for Epichloë infection and their infection status is unknown for consumers. In this study, we tested 24 commercially available seed mixtures for their infection rates with Epichloë endophytes and measured the concentrations of the alkaloids ergovaline, lolitrem B, paxilline, and peramine. We detected Epichloë infections in six seed mixtures, and four contained vertebrate and insect toxic alkaloids typical for Epichloë festucae var. lolii infecting Lolium perenne. As Epichloë infected seed mixtures can harm livestock, when infected grasses become dominant in the seeded grasslands, we recommend seed producers to test and communicate Epichloë infection status or avoiding Epichloë infected seed mixtures.

SUBMITTER: Krauss J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7232243 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

altmetric image

Publications

<i>Epichloë</i> Endophyte Infection rates and Alkaloid Content in Commercially Available Grass Seed Mixtures in Europe.

Krauss Jochen J   Vikuk Veronika V   Young Carolyn A CA   Krischke Markus M   Mueller Martin J MJ   Baerenfaller Katja K  

Microorganisms 20200331 4


Fungal endophytes of the genus <i>Epichloë</i> live symbiotically in cool season grass species and can produce alkaloids toxic to insects and vertebrates, yet reports of intoxication of grazing animals have been rare in Europe in contrast to overseas. However, due to the beneficial resistance traits observed in <i>Epichloë</i> infected grasses, the inclusion of <i>Epichloë</i> in seed mixtures might become increasingly advantageous. Despite the toxicity of fungal alkaloids, European seed mixture  ...[more]

Similar Datasets

| S-EPMC6696963 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4523356 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC4560772 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC10100691 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC3867530 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC5518123 | biostudies-other
| S-EPMC3536286 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC8625081 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC6391756 | biostudies-literature
| S-EPMC7469030 | biostudies-literature