Does reed canarygrass harbor an endophyte fungus?
Barnhart: To my knowledge, reed canarygrass does not harbor any endophyte fungi, nor does it serve as a host for the fescue endophyte. Reed canarygrass can, however, produce an array of alkaloids, which are often considered as anti-quality factors for livestock. The alkaloids that are most known and classified as anti-quality, are 3 types — gramines, tryptamines, and carbolines. Most “old,” wild, reed canarygrass that is commonly found growing along streams and in wet areas in Iowa has all three! Their primary impact on livestock is that they are somehow interfering with the normal digestion of forage dry matter. Low-percentage digestion, a slowed rate of passage and reduced daily dry matter intake all lead to lower animal performance. The grass breeders have been fairly successful in selecting for an releasing reed canarygrass varieties that are substantially lower in all 3 of the undesirable alkaloids. Some of the newer varieties that may be familiar to you are: Palaton, Venture, Chi
