Endophyteinfected Festuca pratensis containing loline alkaloids deters feeding by Listronotus bonariensis

Abstract

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 (ASW; Listronotus bonariensis) adults to 12 unique endophyteinfected meadow fescue ecotypes at four assessment times (DecApr; R²_adj 489 P<0001) In laboratory experiments ASW adults caused significantly more (P<005) feeding damage (number of leaf holes) to nilendophyte (Fp53) than to endophyteinfected meadow fescue (Fp345) Endophyteinfected Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass Bronsyn) sustained least damage