Perennial ryegrass seedling resistance to Argentine stem weevil

Abstract

The presence of the Lolium endophyte fungus (Acremonium loliae Latch, Christensen and Samuels) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) seed confers resistance to adult Argentine stem weevil (Listronotus bonariensis Kuschel) feeding in seedlings. Seeds with non-viable endophyte develop into resistant seedlings, but become susceptible mature plants. Possibly this is caused by the translocation in the seedling of a remnant chemical, associated with endophyte in the seed, which is diluted or metabolised as the plant develops.

Keywords:

• fungi
• pest resistance
• perennial ryegrass
• Argentine stem weevil
• Lolium endophyte