INCIDENCE OF ENDOPHYTES IN SEED LINES AND THEIR CONTROL WITH FUNGICIDES

Abstract

Two seed transmitted endophytic fungi occur in many New Zealand ryegrasses. The percentage of viable endophytes in commercial seed is influenced by the incidence of endophytes in cultivar parent plants and the seed storage conditions. Endophytes may be killed in infected plants by drenching benomyl into the soil around plants or by spraying prochloraz on the foliage. Infected seed can be treated with lg of prochloraz/kg of seed to kill the endophytes. Keywords: Endophytic fungi, ryegrass staggers, seed transmission, fungicides.