Acremonium Endophytes in Germplasms of Major Grasses and Their Utilization for Insect Resistance

Abstract

This chapter reviews progress in determining the incidence of Acremonium and other anamorphic endophytes in cool-season grasses and in cereal grasses, with the emphasis on surveys of germplasm seedbanks. Although few surveys of germplasm collections of cool-season grasses have been made, they have provided information on the incidence of anamorphic endophytes in these grasses. Host grasses infected with clavicipitaceous fungi are also associated with increased insect resistance. The Western Regional Plant Introduction Station at Pullman, WA, stores the largest working seed collections of cool-season grasses: in the United States National Plant Germplasm System. A link between Acremonium infection of grasses and increased plant resistance or toxicity to insects is not always indicated in particular associations. Cultivars of Acremonium-infected perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and hard and Chewings fescues are being marketed for enhanced resistance to webworms, billbugs, chinch bugs, and other pests of turf grasses.