METHOD FOR ENDOPHYTE SAMPLING

Send forage or seed samples to University of Arkansas for endophyte testing in fescues and ryegrasses.
Our test detects various species of Neotyphodium endophytes.  Works with N. coenophialum and N. lolii.  

Address:
Dr. Chuck West [OR] Claudia Guerber
University of Arkansas
1366 W. Altheimer Dr.
Fayetteville, AR 72704-6898

For questions, contact:
   Chuck West  (479) 575-3982;  cwest@uark.edu
   Claudia Guerber (479) 575-4565  cguerber@uark.edu

Forage: Select a robust, healthy vegetative tiller (one having no elongated stem or seedhead).
Cut it off from the rest of the plant at its very lowest point, preferably where it connects to 
the rest of the plant, which is at or below soil level.

 Click on images for more detail  

Cut off any roots at the base, remove dead and dirty leaves, and cut off leaf blades, 
leaving a clean stubble section about 1 to 2-inches long. Collect 50 of these across the field, 
taking care not to take any more than one tiller from the same plant.

Wrap them in a moist paper towel, seal in locking plastic bag, and identify bag as to field number. 

Package securely in envelope or small box, and mail to Dr. West or Ms. Guerber (address above).
Samples received on Thursday or Friday will be refrigerated and analyzed on Monday.
Include your phone no. or E-mail address so that we can send you the results right away.
Please phone or email us when you send the sample so that we can get ready for analyzing it.
Cost $25. Include a check made out to: University of Arkansas.

Method used to detect endophyte infection is tissue print-immunoblot as described by:
Gwinn, K.D., M.H. Shepard-Collins, and B.B. Reddick. 1991. Tissue print-immunoblot: an accurate 
method for the detection of Acremonium coenophialum in tall fescue. Phytopathology 81:747-748.

Return to Chuck West's Home Page