The effect of glyphosate, paraquat and paclobutrazol on lolitrem B levels in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass

Abstract

Two herbicides (glyphosate and paraquat) and a plant growth regulator (paclobutrazol) were applied to endophyte-infected (Acremonium lolii) perennial ryegrass swards. Subsamples of these swards were then chemically analysed at intervals up to 28 days later for lolitrem B, the compound responsible for perennial ryegrass staggers in domestic livestock. Glyphosate and paclobutrazol had no effect on lolitrem B concentrations. Paraquat applications decreased lolitrem B concentrations in the herbage. Because none of the chemicals tested increased the concentration of lolitrem B in the herbage, they are unlikely to be directly implicated in perennial ryegrass staggers in grazing animals.