Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Does chemical control of blind seed disease (Gloeotinia temulenta) affect endophyte transmission in ryegrass seed crops?

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
Australasian Plant Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Seven fungicides were evaluated in two separate field trials for their control of blind seed disease and effect on endophyte transmission in perennial ryegrass. Six fungicides were assessed with cultivar One50 for their effects on transmission of the endophyte strain AR37. Five fungicides were labelled for the control of blind seed disease (Gloeotinia temulenta), stem rust (Puccinia graminis) and/or crown rust (P. coronata). In the first trial no attempt was made to induce blind seed disease. The second trial induced disease in the perennial ryegrass cultivars Horizon and Grasslands Samson. The effect of six fungicides on the control of blind seed and transmission frequency of AR37 was determined. In trial one, germination was high (88–93%) and the incidence of blind seed disease low (2–8%) across all treatments. There was no effect of fungicide treatment on germination nor did fungicide treatment affect endophyte transmission. However in trial two, disease incidence reached 63 and 76%, in Samson and Horizon, respectively. The majority of fungicide treatments were effective in reducing blind seed disease but this varied with fungicide type and timing of application. No reduction in endophyte transmission frequency was observed in Samson as a result of fungicide application. A low endophyte transmission frequency was observed with Horizon and therefore no conclusions around fungicide application on the vertical endophyte transmission of AR37 within this particular cultivar could be made. Possible reasons for differences in the effectiveness in control of blind seed disease achieved with the fungicides used and timing of application are discussed. These two trials demonstrate that fungicides can be used to control blind seed in ryegrass without a detrimental effect on AR37 endophyte content in seed produced.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • ADAMA New Zealand Limited (2008) Folpan®. http://www.adama.com/new-zealand/en/Images/Folpan%20final%20label%208%20May%202014%20Adama_tcm42-22815.pdf. Accessed 1 September 2014

  • Alderman S (1998) Recent occurrence and potential development of blind seed disease in Oregon. J Appl Seed Prod 16:7–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Alderman S (2001) Blind Seed Disease Miscellaneous Publication No. 1567, 32. United States Department of Agriculture, Corvallis, Oregon

  • Alderman S, Pfender W, Ocamb C (2009) Blind seed. Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon, Tall fescue online monograph

    Google Scholar 

  • Anderson C (2009) A new broad spectrum fungicide for wheat & barley. IREC farmers’ newsletter – large area no. 181: spring 2009. http://irec.org.au/farmer_f/pdf_181/A%20new%20broad%20spectrum%20fungicide.pdf. Accessed 25 Septmber 2015

  • BASF New Zealand Limited, (2012) Comet®. http://www.agro.basf.co.nz/Libraries/Product_Documents/Comet_Label.sflb.ashx. Accessed 1 September 2014

  • Bayer Crop Science New Zealand (2011) Proline. http://www.cropscience.bayer.co.nz/en/Products/Fungicides/Proline.aspx. Accessed 1 September 2014

  • Bayer Crop Science New Zealand (n.d.) Folicur® http://www.cropscience.bayer.co.nz/en/Products/Fungicides/Folicur-SC.aspx. Accessed 1 September 2014

  • Calvert E, Muskett A (1945) Blind-seed disease of rye-grass (Phialea temulenta Prill. & Delacr.). Ann Appl Biol 32:329–343

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Christensen M, Voisey C (2006) The biology of the endophyte/grass partnership. In: Popay A, Thom ER (eds) Proceedings of the 6th international symposium on fungal endophytes of grasses. Christchurch, New Zealand, pp 123–134

    Google Scholar 

  • Christensen M, Bennett R, Schmid J (2002) Growth of Epichloë/Neotyphodium and p-endophytes in leaves of Lolium and Festuca grasses. Mycoll Res 106:93–106

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chynoweth R, Rolston M, Kelly M, Grbavac N (2012) Control of blind seed disease (Gloeotinia temulenta) in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) seed crops and implications for endophyte transmission. Agron NZ 42:141–148

    Google Scholar 

  • Davide A, Olivia A, Oliveira AE (2011) Improvement to the physical quality and imbibition pattern in seeds of candela. Cerne 17:321–326

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Don R (2009) ISTA handbook on seedling evaluation, 3rd edn. The International Seed Testing Association, Bassersdorf

    Google Scholar 

  • Easton HS, Fletcher LR (2007) The importance of endophyte in agricultural systems - changing plant and animal productivity. In: Popay A, Thom ER (eds) Proceedings of the 6th international symposium on fungal endophytes of grasses. Christchurch, New Zealand, pp 11–18

    Google Scholar 

  • FAR (2006) Fungicide use for control of blind seed disease in ryegrass crops, No. 52. Foundation for Arable Research, Christchurch

  • FAR (2008) Blind seed disease control: fungicide response and effect on AR37 endophyte. No. 52. Foundation for Arable Research, Christchurch

  • FRAC (2015) FRAC Code List© 2015 http://www.frac.info/docs/default-source/publications/frac-code-list/frac-code-list-2015-finalC2AD7AA36764.pdf?sfvrsn=4. Accessed 7 October 2015

  • Hampton J (1986) Fungicidal effects on stem rust, green leaf area, and seed yield in ‘grasslands Nui’ perennial ryegrass. N Z J Exp Agric 14:7–12

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hampton JG, Scott DJ (1980) I. Occurrence and evidence for the use of nitrogen as a control measure. New Zeal J Agr Res 23:143–147

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hardison JR (1970) Prevention of apothecial formation in Gloeotinia temulenta by benzimidazole compounds. Phytopathology 60:1259–1261

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Harvey I, Harvey B (2009) Pasture diseases in New Zealand. Bio-Protection Research Centre, Lincoln, Canterbury

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey I, Fletcher L, Emms L (1982) Effects of several fungicides on the Lolium endophyte in ryegrass plants, seeds, and in culture. New Zeal J Agr Res 25:601–606

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hill NS, Brown E (2000) Endohyte viability in seedling tall fescue treated with fungicides. Crop Sci 40:1490–1491

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hyde E (1938) Detecting Pullularia infection in ryegrass seed crops. New Zeal J Agr 57:301–302

    Google Scholar 

  • ISTA (2013) International Rules for Seed Testing The International Seed Testing Association, Zurich

  • Johnson L, de Bonth A, Briggs L, Caradus J, Finch S, Fleetwood D, Fletcher L, Hume D, Johnson R, Popay A, Tapper B, Simpson W, Voisey C, Card S (2013) The exploitation of epichloae endophytes for agricultural benefit. Fungal Divers 60:171–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kerr GA, Chapman D F, Thom ER, Matthew C, Van Der Linden A, Baird DB, Johnston E, Corkran JR (2012). Evaluating perennial ryegrass cultivars: improving testing. Pr N Z Grassl Assoc 74:127–136

  • Leuchtmann A, Bacon CW, Schardl CL, White JF, Tadych M (2014) Nomenclatural realignment of Neotyphodium species with genus Epichloë. Mycologia 106:202–215

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Matthews D (1981) Ryegrass. Blind seed disease. ISTA handbook on seed health testing. Working Sheet No. 35. International Seed Testing Association, Switzerland

  • McGee D (1971) The effect of benomyl on Gloeotinia temulenta under laboratory and field conditions. Aust J Exp Agr 11:693–695

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mebalds MJ, Price TV (2008) Chemical control of blind seed disease in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in Victoria. Australas Plant Path 37:148–153

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mebalds MJ, Price TV (2010) Epidemiology of blind seed disease in perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) in Victoria. Australas Plant Path 39:394–405

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philipson M, Christey M (1986) The relationship of host and endophyte during flowering, seed formation, and germination of Lolium perenne. New Zeal J Bot 24:125–134

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Popay AJ, Thom ER (2009) Endophyte effects on major insect pests in Waikato dairy pasture. Pr N Z Grassl Assoc 71:121–126

    Google Scholar 

  • Rolston MP, Archie WJ (2000) Production problems facing the herbage seed industry in New Zealand with particular reference to ryegrass (Lolium spp.). In: McManus MT, Outred HA Pollock KM (eds) Seed symposium: current research on seeds in New Zealand. Special Publication no. 12. Agronomy Society of New Zealand, Christchurch, pp 63–67

  • Rolston M, Archie W, Simpson W (2002) Tolerance of AR1 Neotyphodium endophyte to fungicides used in perennial ryegrass seed production. N Z Plant Prot 55:322–326

  • Rolston MP, McCloy BL, Harvey IC, Chynoweth RW (2009) Ryegrass (Lolium perenne) seed yield response to fungicides: a summary of twelve years of field research. N Z Plant Prot 62:343–348

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rolston P, Kelly M, Chynoweth R, Howlett B, Horricks A, Anderson N, Boelt B (2013) Plant protection and pollinators. In: Trethewey J. Anderson N (eds) International Herbage Seed Group Newsletter Number 49:19–22 http://www.graszaad.info/onderzoeksverslagen/IHSG%20newsletter%2049%20Dec%202013%20.pdf. Accessed 7 October 2015

    Google Scholar 

  • Simpson W, Schmid J, Singh J, Faville M Johnson R (2012) A morphological change in the fungal symbiont Neotyphodium lolii induces dwarfing in its host plant Lolium perenne. Fungal Biol 116:234–240

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Syngenta Crop Protection Limited (n.d. (a)) Amsitar®. http://www3.syngenta.com/country/nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/Labels,%20SDS,%20HazNotes/Labels/AMISTAR%20SC%20LABEL%20TEXT%20SEPT12.pdf. Accessed 1 September 2014

  • Syngenta Crop Protection Limited (n.d. (b)) Seguris Flexi® http://www3.syngenta.com/country/nz/SiteCollectionDocuments/Labels,%20SDS,%20HazNotes/Labels/SEGURIS%20FLEXI%20APPLES%20LABEL%20TEXT%20SEPT12.pdf. Accessed 1 September 2014

  • VSN International Limited (2014) GenStat for windows, 17th edn. VSN International Limited, Hemel Hempstead

    Google Scholar 

  • Walker KS (2008) The influence of cultural practices on endophyte expression in turf-type tall fescue. PhD Thesis, Purdue University

  • Wilson M, Noble M, Gray EG (1947) XII – blind seed disease of rye-grass and its causal fungus. Trans R Soc Edinburgh 61:327–340

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wilson AD, Lester DG, Luckenbill BK (2008) Control of Clavicipitaceous anamorphic endophytes with fungicides, aerated steam and supercritical fluid CO2-seed extraction. Plant Pathology J 7:65–74

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zelam (n.d.) Protek™. http://www.zelam.com/label%20pdfs/Protek10L201301.pdf. Accessed 1 September 2014)

  • Zhang W, Card SD, Mace WJ, Christensen MJ, McGill CR, Matthew C (2017) Defining the pathways of symbiotic Epichloë colonization in grass embryos with confocal microscopy. Mycologia 109:153–161

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge the financial support received by Eduardo Sandoval Cruz from the TR Ellett Agricultural Research Trust, the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR), Seed Tech Services (Massey University) and the John Hodgson Pastoral Science Scholarship to undertake this research. The authors also thank Kay Sinclair (Massey University) for advice on seed germination assessments and Nik Grbavac (AsureQuality Limited) for advice on blind seed assessments.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Agriculture & Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11 222, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    E. A. Sandoval Cruz, C. R. McGill, R. C. Southward, X. Z. He & M. Wang

  2. AgResearch Ltd., Grasslands Research Centre, Private Bag 11008, Palmerston North, 4442, New Zealand

    C. M. McKenzie & S. D. Card

  3. AgResearch Ltd., Lincoln Research Centre, Private Bag 4749, Lincoln, 8140, New Zealand

    M. P. Rolston

  4. Foundation for Arable Research, P.O. Box 23133, Templeton, Christchurch, 8455, New Zealand

    M. P. Rolston & R. J. Chynoweth

Authors
  1. E. A. Sandoval Cruz
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. C. R. McGill
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. C. Southward
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. C. M. McKenzie
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. S. D. Card
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. X. Z. He
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. M. Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. M. P. Rolston
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. R. J. Chynoweth
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to C. R. McGill.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sandoval Cruz, E.A., McGill, C.R., Southward, R.C. et al. Does chemical control of blind seed disease (Gloeotinia temulenta) affect endophyte transmission in ryegrass seed crops?. Australasian Plant Pathol. 47, 561–569 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-018-0598-0

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13313-018-0598-0

Keywords

Search

Navigation