Alkaloid content variability in Lolium perenne infected with Epichloë endophytes in natural grasslands

Many grass species are in symbiosis with Epichloë fungal endophytes. Infected plants are known to contain several mycotoxins and three of these are particularly important in Lolium perenne: Lolitrem B is a tremorgenic compound responsible for ryegrass staggers, a toxic syndrome affecting mainly sheep. Ergovalineis an ergopeptine alkaloid causing various diseases in cattle, like fescue-foot and fescue toxicosis. Peramineis an alkaloid toxic for insects but not for mammals. Objective: To analyse the variability in alkaloids content of a heterogeneous set of Lolium perenne plants from natural grasslands, infected with different morphotypes of Epichloë endophytes.This research was financed with project AGL2011-22783 granted by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competiveness. M.C. Soto was supported by a CONACYT (Mexican Council of Sciences and Technology) doctoral fellowship.Peer reviewe