ABSTRACT
The tall fescue endophyte Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams, and its incidence in the South of Chile

Rafael Galdames G.1
 

The presence of the endophyte fungi Acremonium coenophialum in plants and seed of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was evaluated through microscopic analysis. Data collected from seeds lots of the varieties K-31 , Fawn and Manade, showed that only 'K-31' had high infection levels (71-90%). Furthemore, 15 swards located in the IX Region of Chile (Curacautín, Victoria, Temuco and Gorbea) were studied, founded out positive plants in 12 of them with an infestation level ranging from 40 to 100%. Since 'K-31', has been the most sown variety for a long time, it is much probable that the endophyte is present in the majority of tall fescue pastures in Chile. Finally, the in vitro isolation confirmed that the tall fescue endophyte present in southern Chile is Acremonium coenophialum Morgan-Jones and Gams, which represents the first report in this country.

Keywords: endophyte, Acremonium coenophialum, tall fescue.
1 Centro Regional de Investigación Carillanca (INIA), Casilla 58-D, Temuco, Chile.