Cropmark Agronomist Richard Moate in a year three old pasture persistence trial near Gore, comparing GrubOUT® U2 (right) to other pasture under severe grass grub and porina attack.
The GrubOUT® U2 endophyte provides a wider range of insect pest tolerance than other commercialised endophytes.
The endophyte produces chemicals in the host plants called lolines, which act as feeding deterrents to many insect pests. Lolines can accumulate in the above and below ground plant parts providing protection to the host plant against top feeding and root feeding insect pests.
Insects will still be present in the sward or in the soil. But because they don’t like eating plants containing lolines, pasture persistence of GrubOUT® U2 containing plants is likely to be enhanced.
Our field research has shown that over 2-3 years, populations of grass grub and black beetle do decrease under GrubOUT® U2 pasture as a result of the feeding deterrence effects.
While the GrubOUT® U2 endophyte provides improved tolerance of insect pests, it should not be considered a ‘cure-all'.
