The case files
Previous attempts to control the rapid spread of pasture theft have proved DIFFICULT, but AR37 endophyte offers a solution.
Ryegrass with AR37 endophyte (right) demonstrates persistency advantages over AR1 endophyte (left) in the same cultivar. Waikato, 2009.
A survey of 58 paddocks around the Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions in various stages of pasture renewal were tested for insect populations in February 2010. Soil dwelling insects were collected from 10 spade squares per paddock, with foliar dwelling insects counted from a 30m suction of the pasture. (Rennie et al 2011)
The results below (Fig 1.) show the total amount of Argentine Stem Weevil adults present under the different endophyte types of the pastures. There were no significant differences between the amount of ASW between the AR1 and AR37 endophyte paddocks. There were significantly more ASW found in NEA2 paddocks, compared with AR37, AR1 and standard endophyte (SE) paddocks. (Rennie et al 2011)
Adapted from Rennie et al – Delivering Endophyte benefits on-farm: pasture renewal success and effects on pest invertebrate, NZGA Pasture Persistence Symposium, Grasslands Research and Practise Series No. 15: 223 – 227.
Click to enlarge the graph
AR37 endophyte has been proven in trials and in the field over many years to give protection against Black Beetle adults and Argentine Stem Weevil larvae, as well as the other damaging pasture pests’ (Root Aphid, Pasture Mealy Bug and Porina).
Sowing ryegrass with AR37 endophyte provides the best chance for long term protection against
Black Beetle and Argentine Stem Weevil larvae as there are no economic chemical options that cover both of these.
Maximum protection against these serial offenders is only available in certain cultivars, so to ensure that you won’t become another statistic, ask for ryegrass containing the AR37 endophyte.
ESTABLISHMENT
Previous attempts to control the rapid spread of pasture theft by pasture pests have proved difficult, but AR37 endophyte offers a solution along with the use of Superstrike treated seed.
Superstrike treated seed will give you short term protection from three of these pasture pests for 6 weeks after sowing, ensuring that the plant is given enough time to fully establish and the AR37 endophyte within the ryegrass plant can produce the alkaloids for maximum protection.
After that 6 week time frame, AR37 endophyte will give you protection from these pasture pest thieves for the life of the pasture. The graph below demonstrates the results achieved with AR37 endophyte and insecticide (seed treatment) during seedling establishment.
