Endophytes in the genus Neotyphodium are not found in Australian native grasses

Thirteen native grass genera, and twenty species of native grass seed or pr oprietary native grass seed, were tested for the presence of endophytic Neo typhodium spp. A fungus, similar in appearance to Neotyphodium was isolated from seed of Danthonia racemosa, but as it did not sporulate it remained u nidentified. No confirmed infections caused by Neotyphodium spp. were found in the tested seeds, suggesting that there are no naturally occurring endo phytes in the native grass genera under investigation in Victoria, or that they are rare. The possibility of Neotyphodium spp. in Australia's native g rass population offering insect and nematode resistance, improved growth, n utrient utilisation, and drought tolerance, requires further research.