VARIATION WITHIN ISOLATES OF ACREMONIUM ENDOPHYTES FROM PERENNIAL RYE-GRASSES

Endophytes from perennial rye-grass (Lolium perenne) infected with fungi having intercellular mycelium characteristic of Acremonium lolii exhibited wide variation in cultural, morphological and physiological characteristics. Most isolates could be accommodated within the taxon A. lolii, although they were unstable in culture and had greater variation than previously described. Some, however, resembled A. typhinum, the anamorph of Epichloe typhina, but symptoms of choke disease were not observed. The variation observed within isolates indicates the need for reappraisal of the taxonomy of Acremonium sect. Albo-lanosa.