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.
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:
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.
Ryegrass without endophyte or with low levels of endophyte provide little or no protection against common insect pests.