Tim D. Phillips, Plant and Soil Sciences, University of Kentucky, 1405 Veterans Dr, 325 Plant Science Building, Lexington, KY 40546-0312
Different strains of fungal endophyte can be inserted into improved tall fescue varieties to boost agronomic performance, stress tolerance, and pest resistance and yet be non-toxic to livestock. The first generation of ‘novel endophyte’ tall fescues had the novel endophyte inserted into existing endophyte-free or common toxic strain-containing material. In the USA, Georgia-Jesup MaxQ was the first NETF. Other endophyte strains are being deployed into many new tall fescue varieties for broader adaptation. Additional tall fescue populations (experimental or candidate varieties) from Georgia, the Noble Foundation, and the University of Kentucky have had endophyte strains from AgResearch inserted into them. Future NETF varieties will include those selected from NETF varieties; i.e. already containing a novel endophyte. Such varieties may have better endophyte stability and seed transmissibility. Alternative novel endophyte strains are in development by several companies, so more choices will be available for producers. ‘Designer’ endophytes of the future may allow producers to choose the array of alkaloids that best fit their need for pest control. Some super-toxic strains of endophyte are being tested for turf use to deter wildlife, especially birds, from airports. Advantages of using naturally-occurring endophyte strains over using transgenic strains or transgenic tall fescue will be discussed.
