'Lacefield MaxQll' Novel Tall Fescue

The goal of deploying novel endophyte strains in tall fescue varieties has been to achieve forage yields, stress tolerance, and persistence similar to toxic endophyte tall fescue varieties (mainly ‘Kentucky 31’ endophyte infected with the common toxic endophyte strain), but with the superior animal performance results seen with endophyte-free tall fescue varieties or other non-toxic forage species (orchardgrass, alfalfa, etc.). In addition to better stand persistence, less weed encroachment has been reported in novel endophyte (and toxic endophyte) tall fescue varieties compared to their endophyte-free versions (Rudgers et al., 2010; Bouton et al., 2002). The improved competitive ability of endophyte-containing tall fescue populations in part may be due to reduced herbivory by insects (Vicari et al. 2002). Most novel endophyte strains have reduced or no ergot alkaloid production compared to the common toxic endophyte strain found in Kentucky 31, but they still produce other types of alkaloids with insecticidal properties but not anti-mammalian effects. Other research has shown that novel endophyte tall fescue plantings may resist re-colonization or contamination by toxic-endophyte tall fescue from the soil seed bank or introduction of toxic endophyte-infected seed by other means (feeding hay, grazing seed heads of toxic endophyte tall fescue) (Barker et al., 2005).