Using novel-grass endophyte associations as an avian deterrent

Abstract

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 Epichloë 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.

Ontogenetic and trans‐generational dynamics of a vertically transmitted fungal symbiont in an annual host plant in ozone‐polluted settings

“…Although most variable on wild species than domesticated ones (Saikkonen, Wäli, Helander, & Faeth, 2004), the most documented endophyte-mediated benefit is the resistance to avian, invertebrate and mammalian herbivory mediated by fungal-derived alkaloids (Bastías, Martínez-Ghersa, Ballaré, & Gundel, 2017;Pennell et al, 2016Pennell et al, , 2017Saikkonen, Gundel, & Helander, 2013;Schardl, Grossman, Nagabhyru, Faulkner, & Mallik, 2007).…”

“…In addition, there is a strong genetic component controlling the survival of endophytes in seed, explaining some of the observed differences in endophyte status within grass populations (Gundel et al, 2010;Hill & Roach, 2009;Tian et al, 2013). Although the majority of studies investigating endophyte-derived alkaloids are concerned with the vegetative plant, this function has also been linked to the protection of reproductive structures and the seed (Faeth, 2009;Finch, Pennell, Kerby, & Cave, 2016;Pennell et al, 2017;Uchitel, Omacini, & Chaneton, 2011), which can extend to protection of the developing seedling (Gundel, Rudgers, & Whitney, 2017;Gundel, Seal, et al, 2018;Justus, Witte, & Hartmann, 1997;Ruppert, Matthew, McKenzie, & Popay, 2017;A. V. Stewart, 1985).…”

A Tale of Two Grass Species: Temperature Affects the Symbiosis of a Mutualistic Epichloë Endophyte in Both Tall Fescue and Perennial Ryegrass

“…High concentrations of endophyte-derived alkaloids are also found in seed, sometimes at higher levels than in vegetative plants, and probably evolved to reduce the probability of predation by granivores such as insects, small rodents and birds (Madej and Clay, 1991;Knoch et al, 1993;Finch et al, 2016;Pennell et al, 2017). Even seeds containing endophyte that has died can retain high alkaloid concentrations, which can protect seed from predation (Stewart, 1985;Ball et al, 1993).…”

The effect of grass endophytes on earthworms and slugs under a turf mowing regime

“…The turf-type ryegrass (L. perenne) cultivar, 'Colosseum' , intentionally infected with strain AR95 of Epichloë festucae var. lolii and the turftype tall fescue (F. arundinacea) cultivar 'Jackal' intentionally infected with E. coenophiala strain AR601 were developed in New Zealand as wildlife deterrents and possess proven bioactivity against a wide range of animals including birds, insects, mice and rabbits (Finch et al 2016;Pennell et al 2016;Pennell et al 2017a;Pennell et al 2017b;Pennell et al 2017c). The alkaloidal secondary metabolites peramine and lolines are believed to be largely responsible for the observed insect resistance in these grass-endophyte associations (Pennell et al 2016) while another alkaloid, ergovaline, and clavines (biosynthetic pathway precursors to ergovaline), are believed to result in a reduced appetite, and potentially other physiologically effects, in small mammals and birds (Pennell et al 2017b;Pennell et al 2017c).…”

“…The second was a turftype ryegrass cultivar, Colosseum, intentionally infected with Epichloë festucae var. lolii strain AR95 for use as a wildlife deterrent at sports fields and recreational areas (Pennell et al 2016;Pennell et al 2017a;Pennell et al 2017b;Pennell et al 2017c).…”