Fungal Endophyte Effects on Production of Legumes in Association with Tall Fescue

Abstract

The fungal endophyte, Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan‐Jones & W. Gams) Glenn, Bacon & Hanlin (syn. Acremonium coenophialum Morgan‐Jones & W. Gams) is generally considered to enhance the competitive ability of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) with legumes, but substantiating field data are limited. Our objectives were to determine if endophyte infection of tall fescue affects stand density and forage production of (i) red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), ladino clover (T. repens L.), and alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) harvested at 3‐wk intervals and (ii) alfalfa at low and high seeding rates harvested at 3‐wk and 9‐wk intervals. The first study compared alfalfa, red clover, and ladino clover in association with ‘Jesup’ E+ (endophyte‐infected) and E− (endophyte‐free) tall fescue, harvested at 3‐wk intervals for 3 yr. The second study had alfalfa broadcast planted at 11.2 and 22.4 kg ha−1 with E+ and E− tall fescue planted broadcast at 11.2 and 22.4 kg ha−1 or in rows at 22.4 kg ha−1. This was harvested at 3‐wk intervals for 3 yr, then at 5‐wk intervals for 1 yr. In the first study, clovers and alfalfa cut at 3‐wk intervals for 3 yr had similar (P > 0.05) legume yields when grown with both E+ and E− tall fescue. In the second study harvested at 3‐wk intervals, E+ tall fescue adversely affected (P < 0.05) the associated alfalfa the second year, and by the third year the yield of alfalfa planted at 22.4 kg ha−1 in mixture with E+ tall fescue was only 71% of alfalfa with E− tall fescue (P < 0.05). Similar differences occurred the next year when cut at 5‐wk intervals. Stands of alfalfa or tall fescue after 4 yr were not affected (P > 0.05) by endophyte. The results suggest that endophyte infection of tall fescue increases competition with legumes, but it may be modified by seeding rates or grass sod density.

Persistence and Botanical Composition of Jesup Tall Fescue with Varying Endophyte Status after Five Years of Stockpiling and Intensive Winter Grazing

“…Nonsown species included predominantly large crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis L.), Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L.), bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), and white clover (Trifolium repens L.). The agronomic advantages of the symbiotic relationship between host and fungal endophyte have been reported elsewhere (5,6,7,9,11). Compared with previous grazing research, E-appeared to be more persistent in our study, possibly due to increased ability of Jesup E-to persist relative to other cultivars (3), to the management practices pursued in our study (i.e., the tall fescue stands not being intensively used or stressed in the spring/summer periods), or both.…”

Achievements and Challenges in Improving Temperate Perennial Forage Legumes

“…Endophyte presence in the companion grass is another major factor in the competitive balance between grass and legumes clover, which can suppress clover yields in some circumstances (Hoveland et al, 1999).…”

Effects of land use on dissolved organic matter biogeochemistry in piedmont headwater streams of the Southeastern United States

“…In order to estimate plant carbon input to pasture soils, we assumed that belowground plant production accounts for about 40% of total soil carbon inputs (Whipps, 1990), and that plant biomass is about 40% carbon by weight. Using these assumptions and forage production data (Hoveland et al, 1999;Franzluebbers et al, 2004;Franzluebbers & Stuedemann, 2006), we calculated soil carbon inputs for coastal bermudagrass (540 Mg C km -2 year -1 ) and tall fescue (260 Mg C km -2 year -1 ). Assuming equal coverage of coastal bermudagrass and tall fescue, we estimated an average input of plant carbon to SFBR pasture soils of 400 Mg C km -2 year -1 .…”