What is an Endophyte?

An endophyte is a naturally occurring fungus that is found in ryegrass and tall fescue pastures. They are essential for persistence in most New Zealand pastures.

Endophyte cycle

Endophyte is found in embryo of infected seed.
The endophyte grows into the emerging leaf as the seed germinates.
The endophyte is concentrated in the base of the plant, not in the roots.
The endophyte grows up the stem and into the seedhead of the reproductive plant.

Key Ryegrass Endophyte Descriptions

AR37

AR37 is a novel endophyte that produces none of the alkaloids found in other commercially available endophytes. It produces a unique type of alkaloid (epoxy-janthitrems), which has never been found in any other ryegrass/endophyte combination. AR37 has resistance to more pasture insects than any other ryegrass endophyte commercially available including:

Black beetle adults
Pasture mealy bug
Root aphid
Porina
Argentine stem weevil larvae

AR1

Where insect pressures are low, ryegrass with AR1 endophyte is an excellent option for animal health and production. Pastures with the AR1 endophyte are protected against Argentine stem weevil and pasture mealy bug, but deliver only a low level of control against black beetle.