There is little information on the compounds present in E+ grasses that may be affecting plant pathogenic fungi. Yue et al. (2000) identified a number of compounds produced by cultures of Epichloë and Neotyphodium species that have antifungal activity against the chestnut blight fungus Cryphonectria parasitica (Murr.) Barr and suggested that they may play a similar role against other pathogens. Endophyte infected grasses produce many compounds that are not found in grasses free of endophytes, but only a few of these compounds have been characterized. The compounds in the study that showed the greatest antifungal activity were the indole derivatives indole-3-acetic acid and indole-3-ethanol, a sesquiterpene and a diacetamide. Further research is required to determine which of these novel compounds affect(s) fungal pathogens and the mechanism of this effect.

 

<--Previous         Next-->