What Role Can Endophytic Turfgrasses Play in Turf Management?
Due to the inherent insect resistance of endophytic grasses they are a useful tool in an integrated pest management (IPM) approach to turf management. Seeding with perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, hard fescue, chewings and creeping red fescue containing endophytes whenever possible, will reduce reliance on pesticides for control of above ground feeding inspects. Added to this is the enhanced stress tolerance making your job as a turf manager easier. A list of turf cultivars which contain endophytes can be found in OMAF Publication 384, Turfgrass Management Recommendations or see Table 1. As well, information with regard to species and cultivars which contain endophytes can be obtained from your seed supplier.
