Fungus could create safer, hardier grasses

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind., Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Compounds produced by a beneficial fungus could create grasses that are safe for animals to eat but deadly for insect pests, U.S. researchers say.

Purdue University scientists say a fungus called Neotyphodium, classified as an endophyte, feeds off many species of grasses while providing the grass with protection from insects, but can be toxic to animals based on the types of alkaloids it produces.

Scientists have succeeded in eliminating the alkaloid profiles that caused toxicity in livestock, but in making the grasses safe as feed for animals, their susceptibility to insects came into question, a Purdue release said Tuesday.

Working with researchers in New Zealand, Douglas Richmond, Purdue professor of entomology, identified strains two of the fungus producing compounds that protected the grasses while not endangering animals grazing on them or being fed them by farmers.

Grasses naturally infected with the desired endophyte strains can be propagated for commercial production, Richmond said.

"Both are relatively safe for mammals and other grazing wildlife," he said. "Now the seed industry can put these endophytes into turf and pasture grasses and not worry about potential non-target effects.

"And if you like having wildlife around -- having deer come up to your lawn if you live near the woods -- this is a benefit because it's safe for those animals."