Endophyteinfected <i>Festuca pratensis</i> containing loline alkaloids deters feeding by <i>Listronotus bonariensis</i>

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