The effect of grass-endophyte associations on feeding of Canada geese (Branta canadensis)

Pennell, C. G. L.; Rolston, M. P.

doi:10.33584/jnzg.2003.65.2499

Cited by 9 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…Establishing endophytic tall fescue at airports has potential for deterring geese whose resident populations may relocate to areas with better forage (Conover, 1991; Coley et al, 1995; Pennell and Rolston, 2003; Washburn et al, 2007). This study focused on another proposed mechanism (e.g., Pennell et al, 2015) by which E+ grasses might indirectly reduce strike hazard by suppressing the types of invertebrates that attract insectivorous birds.…”

Section: Discussion and Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of ‘Jackal’ AR601 (Avanex) and Kentucky‐31 Endophytic Tall Fescues for Suppressing Types of Invertebrates that Contribute to Bird Strike Hazard at Airports

Miller

Redmond

Flythe

et al. 2017

Crop Forage & Turfgrass Mgmt

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Core Ideas Endophytic grasses have been suggested for reducing bird strike hazard at airports. Besides deterring geese, such grasses might suppress insects that attract birds. Avanex tall fescue has been marketed as a bird‐deterrent grass for use at airports. Avanex and KY‐31 were tested against invertebrates in field and greenhouse trials. Neither grass is likely to appreciably reduce the food base for insectivorous birds. Use of endophyte‐infected (E+) grasses to deter vertebrate grazers such as geese, and invertebrates attractive to insectivorous birds, has been proposed as a means to reduce bird strike hazard at airports. ‘Jackal’ tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) with the endophyte strain AR601, branded Avanex Unique Endophyte Technology and marketed as a bird‐deterrent grass, purportedly expresses inordinately high levels of both ergovaline to induce bird avoidance behavior and loline alkaloids for insect resistance. We tested the hypothesis that Avanex is more effective than Kentucky‐31 (KY‐31), a common tall fescue with wild‐type endophyte, for suppressing types of invertebrates fed on by birds. Bioactivity of Jackal AR601 and KY‐31, with or without their endophytes, was compared in insect feeding trials, and against macroinvertebrate communities in field plots. Presence of viable endophyte was confirmed by immunoblot and alkaloid analyses. Alkaloid concentrations varied seasonally but were no higher in Jackal AR601 than in E+ KY‐31. Both E+ grasses suppressed an endophyte‐sensitive aphid, but effects on grass‐feeding caterpillars were more subtle, with similar and some cases better larval growth and survival on Avanex than on KY‐31. Neither E+ grass reduced populations of earthworms, white grubs, or aboveground macroinvertebrates. This study suggests that suppression of invertebrates by Avanex or E+ KY‐31 is probably too weak to significantly reduce the food supply for insectivorous birds at airports.

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Section: Discussion and Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of ‘Jackal’ AR601 (Avanex) and Kentucky‐31 Endophytic Tall Fescues for Suppressing Types of Invertebrates that Contribute to Bird Strike Hazard at Airports

Miller

Redmond

Flythe

et al. 2017

Crop Forage & Turfgrass Mgmt

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“…in appearance, smell and texture) then repeated exposure to that newly-modified source is generally required in order to alter the learned behavior. This response has been reported for Canada geese (Pennell & Rolston 2003;Pennell et al 2010) feeding on certain Epichloë-endophyteinfected grasses, with the behavior termed postingestion feedback (Conover & Messmer 1996b). This response, from Avanex grasses, has also been evaluated on small mammalian species including mice (Mus musculus) and rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) (Finch et al 2016;Pennell et al 2017a).…”

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confidence: 85%

Using novel-grass endophyte associations as an avian deterrent

Pennell

Rolston

Baird³

et al. 2017

NZPP

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Birds can be major pests in agricultural and horticultural crops as well as being serious hazards to operating aircraft. Cultivars of perennial ryegrass, a hybrid ryegrass and tall fescue, associated with selected EpichloÃ« fungal endophytes were evaluated in aviary and field experiments for their management potential of three nuisance bird species selected as model systems representative of major bird classifications based on their diet. Granivores, namely European green finches, ate more endophyte-free perennial ryegrass seed than endophyte- infected seed, while the representative omnivores, black-backed gulls, avoided endophyte- enhanced feed pellets. The selected herbivore, Canada geese, showed an aversion to field trial plots sown with endophyte-infected grass containing ergovaline compared with the existing ground cover. Therefore habitat modification using selected grass-endophyte associations offers an effective wildlife management option aimed at reducing birds in problematic areas.

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“…Ergovaline has a deterrent effect on grazing animals (Pennell and Rolston 2003). This has been demonstrated in cattle where a study showed animals grazing endophyte-infected tall fescue had lower feed intakes than animals grazing endophyte-free tall fescue (Stuedemann et al 1989;Seman et al 1990).…”

Section: Feed Deterrent Effectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ergot alkaloids in New Zealand pastures and their impact

Caradus¹,

Card

Finch

et al. 2020

New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research

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In identifying endophytes for use in pastures in New Zealand there have been two strategies used, either exclusion of ergopeptine and lolitrem alkaloids or, retaining some ergopeptine expression to enhance the stability of natural defences against invertebrate pests. Both have their strengths and weaknesses. It is a matter of balancing these to ensure the end-user has access to a product that satisfies their needsa persistent pasture with low to nil animal toxicity in terms of animal production and welfare. The range and intensity of ergot alkaloids in grazed pasture on both pasture and ruminants is reviewed, with emphasis on New Zealand. Ergot alkaloids associated with pasture are produced by associations between certain Epichloë endophyte strains and temperate grasses. Ergot alkaloids have been shown to improve persistence of pasture through providing resistance/deterrence to insect pests as well as deterring grazing animals. However, ergovaline is toxic to grazing animals. Some commercially available ryegrass-endophyte associations can produce ergovaline concentrations close to those found in associations between ryegrass and the standard endophyte. It is feasible to eliminate ergot alkaloids from pasture grasses in New Zealand as endophyte strains are commercially available that do not express ergovaline and yet still provide excellent pest resistance.

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The effect of grass-endophyte associations on feeding of Canada geese (Branta canadensis)

Cited by 9 publications

References 9 publications

Evaluation of ‘Jackal’ AR601 (Avanex) and Kentucky‐31 Endophytic Tall Fescues for Suppressing Types of Invertebrates that Contribute to Bird Strike Hazard at Airports

Evaluation of ‘Jackal’ AR601 (Avanex) and Kentucky‐31 Endophytic Tall Fescues for Suppressing Types of Invertebrates that Contribute to Bird Strike Hazard at Airports

Using novel-grass endophyte associations as an avian deterrent

Ergot alkaloids in New Zealand pastures and their impact

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