ABSTRACT
The developers of Manhattan and Pennfine were originally unaware of the presence and benefits of Acremonium endophytes, as well as the potential for loss of endophyte viability during prolonged seed storage. Scientists are becoming increasingly aware of the role and importance of fungal endophytes, as well as other microbial associations, in the persistence and performance of grasses used for turf and soil preservation. Endophyte-infected plants of creeping and colonial bentgrasses are often found in old, low-maintenance turfs of the British Isles. In spite of the widespread availability of Acremonium endophytes in elite turfgrass germplasm, only a few of the newer turf-type tall fescues have high percentages of endophyte-infected plants. Turfgrass breeders, seed companies, and knowledgeable consumers rapidly became aware of the benefits of endophytes in perennial ryegrass turfs, during the mid-1980s. Most attractive tall fescue plants selected from old turfs contained Acremonium endophytes.
