Fescue Research Articles

Evapotranspiration predictions of CERES-Sorghum model in Southern Italy

The purpose of this study was to modify and calibrate the CERES-Sorghum water balance model for the dry, high radiation and windy conditions in an area in Southern Italy. The equation for estimating potential evapotranspiration ( E 0) was substituted by another one, calibrated in the study site and expressed as a function of equilibrium evaporation and maximum vapour pressure deficit (defined as the difference between the saturation vapour pressure at maximum and at minimum temperatures). To calibrate the E 0 equation included in CERES-Sorghum, two drainage lysimeters, located at the Istituto Sperimentale Agronomico experimental farm, Foggia (Italy), were used to measure weekly evapotranspiration of well-watered, irrigated fescue grass, from 1976 to 1986. A further drainage lysimeter, located in the same farm and cropped with well-watered grain sorghum (cv. NK 121) was used to calibrate the genetic coefficients input to the modified CERES-Sorghum model during the cropping seasons 1979 and 1980. Simulated phenological dates (anthesis and maturity), grain yield, LAI, biomass and crop evapotranspiration were then compared with the measured ones in a fourth drainage lysimeter cropped with sorghum. The modified model simulated grain yield accurately, but simulated daily evapotranspiration did not always match well the observed value, especially early in the crop cycle. Improvements are needed to the model in its simulation of soil evaporation and in the crop response function to temperature.

Interactions among fungal endophytes, grasses and herbivores

AbstractThe interaction between two species often depends on the presence or absence of a third species. One widespread three‐species interaction involves fungal endophytes infecting grasses and the herbivores that feed upon them. The endophytes are allied with the fungal family Clavicipitaceae and grow systemically in intercellular spaces in above‐ground plant tissues including seeds. Like related Claviceps species, the endophytes produce a variety of alkaloids that make the host plants toxic or distasteful to herbivores. A large number of grass species are infected, especially cool‐season grasses in temperate areas. Field and laboratory studies have shown that herbivores avoid infected plants in choice trials and suffer increased mortality and decreased growth on infected grasses in feeding experiments. Resistance to herbivores may provide a selective advantage to infected plants in competitive interactions with noninfected plants. Recent studies have shown that differential herbivory can reverse competitive hierarchies among plant species. Both endophyte‐infected and noninfected tall fescue grass (Festuca arundinacea) are outcompeted by orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) in the absence of insect herbivory. However, when herbivores are present infected tall fescue outcompetes orchardgrass. These results suggest that the frequency of infection in grass species and grassland communities will increase over time. Several studies are reviewed illustrating increases in infection frequency within grass populations subject to herbivore pressure. Endophytic fungi may be important regulators of plant‐herbivore interactions and so indirectly affect the structure and dynamics of plant communities.

A survey of the genusFestucaL.(Poaceae)in Italy. I. The species of the summit flora in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and Apuan Alps

Abstract Foggi, B. & Rossi, G.: A survey of the genus Festuca L. (Poaceae) in Italy. I. The species of the summit flora in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and Apuan Alps. — Willdenowia 26: 183–215. 1996. — ISSN 0511-9618. Based on own extensive collections and field studies as well as on the material preserved in the relevant herbaria, the genus Festuca in the summit areas of two of the three districts of the N Apennines is revised. 16 species with three subspecies are recognized: of these, one species, F. riccerii, is described as new to science: F. halleri subsp. yvesii and F. billyi are reported for the first time from Italy, F. trichophylla subsp. asperifolia, F. cinerea, and F. gracilior for the first time from the N Apennines. A key to all taxa is provided; for each taxon a description and data on its distribution as well as ecology including phytosociology are given.

FINE FESCUE SPECIES AND CULTIVARS FOR GOLF COURSE ROUGH AND MOUND USE

Five species and 27 cultivars of fine-leaved fescues (Festuca sp.) were evaluated for low-maintenance utility turf in a variety of golf course conditions. Cultivar selection and management techniques varied across six sites in 4 years. Germination, tillering, rapidity of establishment, turf density, and general turfgrass quality were significantly different between both species and cultivars. Annual and seasonal decline and recovery of turf quality was also dependent on both species and cultivar. Greater differences exist within cultivars in some species than between species. Aspect, slope, soil disturbance, shade, seeding date, irrigation, fertility regime, mulch, and mowing influenced establishment and seedling development. Absence of endophytic fungi and development of diseases, insects, weeds, and post-germination disturbance markedly contributed to losses in turf quality, percent living cover, and increased erosion potential. Success and duration of fescue slope plantings are both positively and negatively correlated to various site characteristics and management techniques. Fescues are an appropriate choice in specific circumstances.

Expression of Russian Wheat Aphid (Homoptera: Aphididae) Resistance in Genotypes of Tall Fescue Harboring Different Isolates of Acremonium Endophyte

Experiments were conducted to compare the expression of Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko), resistance in 2 genotypes of tall fescue grass, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., harboring different isolates of the endophytic fungus Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones & Gams. Aphids did not select endophyte-free over endophyte-infected tiller sections in laboratory tests. In a laboratory population growth test, aphid numbers declined for 2 d on all endophyte-free plants and then increased. Aphid mortality was 100% on all infected plants after 4 d. Thus, antibiosis resistance to D. noxia was not specific to tall fescue genotype or to Acremonium isolate. In a field plot, numbers of Russian wheat aphids were significantly higher on endophyte-free tall fescue. Using these results, and results of other studies involving Acremonium -enhanced resistance to D. noxia in tall fescue and other host grasses, tile potential for using D. noxia to screen grass germplasm for Acremonium fungi is discussed.

Red oak and black walnut growth increased with minesoil ripping

ABSTRACT Red oak, black walnut, and black walnut with autumn olive, a “nitrogen-fixing” shrub, were planted on graded, compacted cast overburden (topsoil-substitute) minesoil with a dense ground cover consisting chiefly of tall fescue grass. Compaction was mitigated by ripping on half the plots. Year 1 establishment of all species was equal or lower on the graded versus graded/ripped plots. After 12 years red oak survival was 9% where unripped versus 61% where ripped. Black walnut survival was respectively 41% and 74%. Red oak 12-year heights were 2.2 m on the graded and 4.5 m on the graded/ripped plots. Black walnut heights averaged 2.6 m and 5.5 m respectively. Diameter breast height similarly was greater with ripping for the oak and walnut. Deer damage was substantially greater on the red oak than on the black walnut trees. Black walnut was interplanted a year later with autumn olive on unripped and ripped graded minesoils. After 12 years survival of black walnut interplanted with autumn olive was 42% where unripped and 85% in two ripped plots. Corresponding heights averaged 3.8 m where graded and 5.7 to 6.4 m where graded/ripped.

Effects of plant species and harvesting system on grassland production in northern Finland

The dry matter yields and forage quality of seven grassland plant species and mixed stands which included three cutting regimes (pasture 4-5 cuts, silage 2-3 cuts, hay and aftermath) were studied at two locations in northern Finland, Ruukki (64°40’N) and Rovaniemi (66° 35’N). Increased cutting frequency lowered the total dry matter yields of all plant species. Production of timothy (Phleum pratense L.) and smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis L.) swards was significantly reduced by taking four or five cuts instead of one or two cuts. Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis Huds.) and meadow grass (Poa pratensis L.) showed only a minor interaction with harvesting regimes and were less affected by the cutting frequency. The increased cutting frequency raised the crude protein content, this causing the highest protein yields despite the smaller dry matter yields. The inclusion of red clover in seed mixtures had a favourable effect on the crude protein content of grass swards. Stands of sown plants decreased and the proportion of weeds in yields increased with time, reflecting the suitability of plant species to various cutting regimes. Meadow fescue and meadow grass with rapid regrowth had a positive effect on sward density and also caused less invasion of weeds when the cutting frequency was increased.

Hemoglobinuric Nephrosis in a Rhea (Rhea americana)

An eighteen-month-old female rhea (Rhea americana) was presented dead for necropsy. The owner reported having observed blood in the droppings. Gross examination revealed a rhea in good body condition with a copious amount of frank blood in the cloaca. Large masses of matted fescue grass (Festuca spp.) distended the ventriculus and jejunum. No hemorrhage was evident in the digestive tract, which was otherwise void of ingesta. The kidneys were dark brown in color. Renal histopathology revealed a severe accumulation of eosinophilic pigment in the tubular epithelial cells of the proximal convoluted tubules, with tubular nephrosis and eosinophilic casts in the collecting tubules. It was concluded that the renal pigment was hemoglobin and not myoglobin, based on lack of evidence of muscle injury and the severe erythrophagocytosis evident in hepatic macrophages. The renal pigment also stained positive with the hemoglobin-specific Okajima stain. Hemoglobinuric nephrosis has not previously been reported in an avian species.

An evaluation of dryland legume and legume‐grass pastures based on lucerne and red clover, with sheep, using a put‐and‐take system in the outeniqua area of the Southern Cape

Abstract The production of a pure lucerne (Medicago sativa) pasture, two lucerne‐grass pastures and two red clover (Trifolium pratense)‐grass pastures was compared at two grazing pressures (3.5 and 4.0 kg DM per small stock unit d‐1) in the Outeniqua area, using Mutton Merino sheep in a put‐and‐take system of grazing. The four legume‐grass pastures consisted of mixtures of the two legumes with combinations of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), phalaris (Phalaris aquatica) and brome grass (Bromus unioloides). The average production in terms of dry matter, stocking rate, average daily gain and total live weight gain of the three lucerne‐based pastures was higher and more constant than that of pastures based on red clover. Lucerne was also a more persistent legume component than red clover. Choice of grass species had very little influence on production and the inclusion of grass in both lucerne‐ and clover‐based pastures did not improve production. Pastures with a brome grass component, however, tended to b...

Analysis of endophyte toxins: fescue and other grasses toxic to livestock.

Research on livestock toxicoses caused by Acremonium (endophyte)-infected grasses strongly implicate the ergopeptine alkaloids with A. coenophialum-infected fescue and paxilline and the lolitrem alkaloids with A. lolii-infected perennial ryegrass as the causative agents. Isolation, identification, and detection of these toxins involves extraction with appropriate solvents, clean-up procedures, and chromatographic methods with known standards. Thin-layer, high-performance liquid and gas chromatography along with ultraviolet and mass spectrometric (i.e., electron impact, chemical ionization, tandem mass) characterizations have been reported. These methods have varying degrees of success depending on the matrix from which the alkaloids have been extracted. Ergovaline is the primary ergopeptine alkaloid isolated from cultures of A. coenophialum and also from infected fescue grass and seeds toxic to livestock. Other compounds isolated from the endophyte-infected fescue include: lysergic acid amide (ergine), the clavine class of ergot alkaloids (chanoclavine I, agroclavine, elymoclavine, penniclavine), the pyrrolizidine alkaloids (N-formylloline, N-acetylloline, N-methyloline, N-acetylnorloline), and the unique pyrrolopyrazine alkaloid peramine. The loline alkaloids and peramine have been more associated with the insect-deterrent properties of the endophyte-infected fescue than with livestock toxicoses. Also, both peramine and the ergopeptine alkaloids (ergovaline, ergotamine) have been isolated from A. lolii-infected perennial ryegrass. More recently, paxilline and lolitrem B have been detected in laboratory cultures of A. coenophialum isolated from tall fescue. The ergot alkaloids in endophyte-infected perennial ryegrass may be more related to decreased animal productivity (weight gains, reproduction problems), whereas the lolitrems cause the staggers syndrome. The detection, isolation, identification, and analyses of these compounds from Acremonium-infected grasses is presented.

Endophytes of fescue grasses enhance susceptibility of Popillia japonica larvae to an entomopathogenic nematode

AbstractWe evaluated tritrophic level interactions among fungal endophytes (Acremonium spp.) of fescue grasses (Festuca spp.), the root‐feeding Japanese beetle Popillia japonica Newman larvae, and the entomopathogenic nematode Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar. Third‐instar P. japonica larvae were introduced into pots containing endophyte‐infected or endophyte‐free plants of tall fescue Festuca arundinacea Schreber (cultivars Kentucky 31 and Georgia Jesup Improved) and the Chewings fescue Festuca rubra commutata Guad. (cultivars F‐93 and Jamestown II). After two weeks, the surviving larvae were recovered, and their susceptibility to nematodes was evaluated in sand columns. Endophytes enhanced the rate of nematode‐induced mortality in all cultivars except Georgia Jesup Improved, and increased the proportion of dead larvae with nematodes in all cultivars except Jamestown II. Endophytes in the cultivar Kentucky 31 were associated with improved nematode establishment in the larvae. No effect on nematode reproduction was found.Since endophytes produce biologically active alkaloids, we tested the effects of an ergot alkaloid, ergotamine tartrate, on the feeding behavior and weight of P. japonica larvae in agar medium. The alkaloid caused feeding deterrence, and reduced the consumption of medium by the larvae, resulting in weight loss. These larvae were more susceptible to H. bacteriophora than the untreated larvae. Unfed ‘starved’ larvae were more susceptible to nematodes than those fed on untreated agar. Our results support the hypothesis that endophyte‐induced starvation of P. japonica would reduce larval vigor, and render them more susceptible to entomopathogenic nematodes.

Effects of short-term exposure to and removal from the fescue endophyte Acremonium coenophialum on pregnant mares and foal viability

Effects of short-term exposure to and removal from the fescue endophyte Acremonium coenophialum on pregnant mares and foal viability

Alum sludge land application and its effect on plant growth

Addition of phosphorus fertilizer corrected the phosphorus deficiency found in fescue grass at higher sludge application rates.These investigators conducted three greenhouse experiments to determine the impact of alum sludge from the Harwood's Mill water treatment plant, Newport News, Va., on the growth and chemical composition of fescue grass. Fescue yields decreased with increased sludge addition, a trend that was attributed to reductions in plant‐available phosphorus (P) at higher loadings. Supplemental P fertilization corrected this deficiency. Lime addition did not affect yield. The presence of manganese and copper in the sludge increased metal uptake by the plants but did not affect yield.

Sexual compatibility and taxonomy of a new species ofEpichloësymbiotic with fine fescue grasses

Mating tests among stroma-forming and nonstroma-forming strains of Epichloe from several fine fescue species, including Festuca rubra subsp. rubra and F. rubra subsp. commutata, indicated a distinc...

Sexual Compatibility and Taxonomy of a New Species of Epichloe Symbiotic with Fine Fescue Grasses

Mating tests among stroma-forming and nonstroma-forming strains of Epichloë from several fine fescue species, including Festuca rubra subsp. rubra and F. rubra subsp. commutata, indicated a distinct mating population of Epichloë from the Festuca hosts. Reciprocal matings of these strains with E. typhina from Dactylis glomerata, Lolium perenne and Anthoxanthum odoratum, and with a third mating population from Elymus spp. indicated complete sexual incompatibility between members of different mating populations. Two mating types, mat-1 and mat-2, were identified and shown to be segregating in exclusion in ascospore progeny, consistent with a heterothallic mating system. Based on criteria of intersterility with other known species, and the morphology of fruiting structures (size and disarticulation of ejected ascospores) a new species of Epichloë was described for which the name E. festucae is proposed. Allozyme profiles of isolates of E. festucae and of three other recognized species, E. typhina, E. baconii, and E. clarkii, emphasized genetic distinctness of the new species. Average genetic identity values between E. festucae and the other three Epichloë species ranged from 0.138 to 0.331 but was 0.872 among E. festucae isolates. All isolates of the same species were grouped in distinct, clearly separated clusters of a dendrogram.

Root and shoot characteristics of prairie grass compared to tall fescue and smooth brome grass during establishment

Abstract The root and top characteristics of ‘Grasslands Matua’ prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii Kunth) during establishment were compared with ‘Johnstone’ tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and ‘Saratoga’ smooth brome grass (Bromus inermis Leyss). ‘Grasslands Matua’ was slower to emerge than both tall fescue and smooth brome grass, but by first harvest (52 days after sowing), prairie grass had longer tillers (51 versus 38 and 26 cm), a greater number of seed heads (15 versus 0.3 and 0.1), and a higher stem/ leaf ratio (0.95 versus 0.14 and 0.01) than smooth brome grass and tall fescue, respectively. There were no differences in 2‐year mean tiller populations, leaf area, leaf yield, and stem yield between prairie grass and smooth brome grass at first harvest. Twenty days after sowing there were no differences in root length density among the three species. However, by first harvest, prairie grass at 20 cm depth had 135% of the root counts of the other two grasses. At 40 cm, prairie grass had 130 a...

Fucosylated Xyloglucan in Suspension-Cultured Cells of the Graminaceous Monocotyledon, Festuca arundinacea

Summary This work re-examines the idea that xyloglucans of the primary cell walls of graminaceous monocotyledons differ from those of most other higher plants in lacking α-L-fucose residues. Suspension-cultured cells of Festuca arundinacea Schreber (tall fescue grass) incorporated exogenous L-[1- 3 H]fucose into cell wall material. About 67% of the phenol-insoluble 3 H could be extracted from these cell walls with 3.6 M KOH. About 40% of the KOH-extracted 3 H was converted into products of apparent molecular weight ~ 200-2000 by Trichoderma cellulase , and a discrete peak of this material eluted from Bio-Gel P-2 at K av 0.40 suggesting a nonasaccharide. On paper chromatography in two solvent systems, and HPLC on aminosilica, about 33 % of the 3 H in this fraction co-migrated with an authentic nonasaccharide, Glc 4 Xyl 3 GalFuc (XXFG), which is generated from dicotyledonous xyloglucan by cellulase digestion. In addition, the [ 3 H]nonasaccharide from Festuca and authentic XXFG yielded identical products when subjected to limited digestion with the fungal glycanase mixture, Driselase. Taken together, the evidence indicates for the first time that grass cell walls contained a small amount of fucosylated xyloglucan.

Crop Type Effects on the Activity and Distribution of Ground Beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

The activity of carabid beetles and predation pressure of ground-dwelling predators were investigated in four crop types, barley ( Hordeum vulgare L.), faba bean ( Vicia faba L.), barley-pea ( Pisum sativum L.) intercrop and fescue ( Festuca rubra L.). Pitfall captures of carabids and disappearance rate of experimentally placed fly pupae were similar across the intercrop of peas and barley and monocultures of faba bean and barley, but pupal disappearance was lower in plots of fescue grass than in the crops. In habitat choice experiments, the intercrop attracted significantly more individuals of Pterostichus melanarius Illiger than did the three monocultures. Our results show that carabids can be affected by vegetation structure associated with differences in agronomic practice and that such effects have potential implication for rates of predation in agricultural systems.

Intraprotoplasmic feruloylation of arabinoxylans in Festuca arundinacea cell cultures

Graminaceous primary cell walls contain polysaccharides to which are esterified feruloyl residues. Ester biosynthesis is highly specific and the present experiments were performed to ascertain the likely site of feruloylation in living grass cell cultures. Cell cultures of tall fescue grass (Festuca arundinacea Schreber) incorporated exogenous l-[1-3H]arabinose into polymers at a linear rate after a short lag of approx. 1–3 min. Radiolabelled polymers did not start to accumulate in the culture medium until 20–35 min after [3H]arabinose was supplied. However, polymer-bound feruloyl-arabinose residues began to accumulate 3H after a lag of 1–3 min. Assuming that the onset of secretion of radiolabelled polymers into the medium indicates the time before which essentially all the radiolabel was internal to the plasma membrane, the results show that the polysaccharide-bound [3H]arabinose residues must have been feruloylated within the protoplast.

Evolutionary diversification of fungal endophytes of tall fescue grass by hybridization with Epichloë species.

The mutualistic associations of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) with seed-borne fungal symbionts (endophytes) are important for fitness of the grass host and its survival under biotic and abiotic stress. The tall fescue endophytes are asexual relatives of biological species (mating populations) of genus Epichloë (Clavicipitaceae), sexual fungi that cause grass choke disease. Isozyme studies have suggested considerable genetic diversity among endophytes of tall fescue. Phylogenetic relationships among seven isolates from tall fescue, three from meadow fescue (a probable ancestor of tall fescue), and nine Epichloë isolates from other host species were investigated by comparing sequences of noncoding segments of the beta-tubulin (tub2) and rRNA (rrn) genes. Whereas each Epichloë isolate and meadow fescue endophyte had only a single tub2 gene, most tall fescue endophytes had two or three distinct tub2 copies. Phylogenetic analysis of tub2 sequences indicated that the presence of multiple copies in the tall fescue endophytes was a consequence of hybridization with Epichloë species. At least three hybridization events account for the distribution and relationships of tub2 genes. These results suggest that interspecific hybridization is the major cause of genetic diversification of the tall fescue endophytes.