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Abstract
The ryegrass endophyte, which has been linked to animal disorders and increased pest resistance of its host in a range of environments in New Zealand, was studied in a field experiment in Southland, New Zealand. In contrast with other (warmer and/or drier) environments, the endophyte was found to have minimal effects on pasture production and composition in years with adequate summer rainfall, but endophyte did suppress clover growth (P = 0.028) under summer drought conditions. There was no difference between endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free treatments for ryegrass tiller densities, number of clover growing points, total herbage production, herbage composition, and the chemical (elemental concentrations and digestibility) composition of ryegrass. The proportion of endophyte‐infected tillers did not change significantly over a five year period, and peak lolitrem B (1.2 ppm) and ergovaline (0.8 ppm) concentrations in the ryegrass component were lower and the peramine (20 ppm) concentration similar to that reported elsewhere in New Zealand. It is concluded that, in the absence of significant endophyte effects on pasture production and composition, the decision to use endophyte‐infected seed has to be based on an endophyte effect on animal production aspects.
