Taryn Miller

Citation

Thesis Title
Insect bioactive capabilities of Epichloë festucae var lolii AR48 infected Lolium perenne

Read article at Massey Research Online:

Epichloë is a fungus that naturally forms a beneficial interaction with grass. The fungus inhabits the internal structure of the grass and produces a range of compounds to protect the grass from mammalian and insect predation. In return, the grass provides nutrients to the fungus. New Zealand agriculture has utilised this interaction through the selection of fungal strains that produce compounds active against insects, whilst being non-toxic to mammalian herbivores, to provide an environmentally friendly method of insect control. Grass containing the fungal strain AR48 has novel insect protection towards the stem boring fly and the cutworm moth caterpillar. Ms Miller successfully identified two new compounds that have potential toxicity towards these two insects, as well as the associated genes responsible for their production. Her research can assist in finding new Epichloë strains that can be utilised to enhance New Zealand pasture.

Supervisors
Professor Barry Scott
Dr Richard Johnson
Associate Professor Gill Norris