Grasslanz Technology Limited

Grains Research and Development Corporation

New Zealand Pastoral Agriculture Research Institute Limited

David Edward Hume

Brian Anthony Tapper

Herrick Sydney Easton

Lester Ronald Fletcher

Michael John Christensen

Christopher Gerald Lee Pennell

Richard David Johnson

Wayne Roydon Simpson

Geoffrey Alexander Lane

Garrick Cecil Morland Latch

Bruce Matheson Cooper

Alison Jean Popay

Garrick Cecil Latch

Stuart Douglas Card

The present invention relates to isolated strains ofendophytes that form symbiotic associations with host plants, wherein the symbiotic associations are combinations of endophytes and host plants that are not found in nature. The invention also relates to combinations of host plants andendophytes that are not found in nature, methods of making such combinations and methods of conferring at least some level of pest resistance on a host plant using such endophytes.

endophyte

The present invention relates to at least one epichloae fungal endophyte strain combined with at least one species ofspp., which confers at least some level of pest protection on thespp. plant. In particular, the invention relates to an isolated strain of epichloae fungal endophyte selected from the group consisting of AR3039 (NRRL# 50716), AR3046 (NRRL# 50576), AR3049 (NRRL#50577), AR3050 (NRRL# 50578), AR3064 (NRRL# 50718), AR3067 (NRRL# 50719), AR3068 (NRRL# 50720), AR3073 (NRRL# 50721), AR3074 (NRRL# 50722), AR3076 (NRRL# 50723), and AR3078 (NRRL# 50724), and combinations thereof; aspp. plant infected with a fungal endophyte whereinspp. is not a natural host of the endophyte; a method of making a stable host plant/epichloae fungal endophyte combination; a method of conferring at least some level of pest protection on a hostspp. plant; and aspp. seed infected with an epichloae fungal endophyte.

Fungal endophytes

An endophyte or endophyte culture ofspecies is described that, in combination with a host grass does not cause typical symptoms of ryegrass toxicosis in grazing animals and also contains levels of compounds from the class of janthitrems epoxides to individually or in combination protect the host grass from pests or abiotic stresses or both. Uses and methods are also described to produce and characterize the combination as well as alternative uses for compounds from the class of janthitrem epoxide compounds.

Grass endophytes

An endophyte or endophyte culture ofspecies is described that, in combination with a host grass does not cause typical symptoms of ryegrass toxicosis in grazing animals and also contains levels of compounds from the class of janthitrems epoxides to individually or in combination protect the host grass from pests or abiotic stresses or both. Uses and methods are also described to produce and characterise the combination as well as alternative uses for compounds from the class of janthitrem epoxide compounds.

Selected endophytes of the genus Neotyphodium (formerly Acremonium) form stable synthetic combinations with tall fescue hosts (Festuca arundinacea). The combinations have improved resistance to invertebrate pests as compared to tall fescue cultivars not containing such endophytes. The particular combinations of the invention have reduced toxicity to livestock as compared to naturally occurring endophyte/tall fescue combinations. The seven preferred endophytes are AR501, AR502, AR510, AR542, AR572, AR577 and AR584.

Tall fescue endophytes

Selected endophytes of the genus Neotyphodium (formerly Acremonium) form stable synthetic combinations with ryegrass hosts (preferably Lolium perenne). The combinations have improved resistance to invertebrate pests and drought effects as compared to ryegrass cultivars not containing such endophytes. The particular combinations of the invention have reduced toxicity to livestock as compared to naturally occurring endophyte/ryegrass combinations. The six preferred endophytes are AR1, AR12, AR22, AR50, AR52 and AR56.

Growing community of inventors

Palmerston North, New Zealand

David Edward Hume