Grass Tetany Potential of Tall Fescue Infected with Epichloe typhina1

Abstract

AbstractThe plant parasitic fungus Epichloe typhina (Pers.) Tul. has been implicated as the causal organism of bovine fescue toxicity, a syndrome of cattle grazing tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.). Since the fungus obtains its energy from the tall fescue plants, a greenhouse study was designed to determine the effect of fungal infection on plant uptake of those elements associated with grass tetany: Ca, Mg, and K. Epichloe typhina infection did not affect the mineral content, or, therefore, the grass tetany potential of tall fescue.