Detection of lolines in endophyte‐containing meadow fescue in The Netherlands and the effect of elevated temperature on induction of lolines in endophyte‐infected perennial ryegrass

Abstract Plants from a Festuca pratensis variety which had caused‘eczema solare’among lambs in The Netherlands revealed the presence of endophytic Acremonium after microscopic evaluation. Combined gas chromatographic‐mass spectrometric analysis of extracts from seeds of these plants showed the occurrence of N‐formyl‐ as well as N‐acetyl‐loline which are formed as a result of the plant‐fungus association. Endophyte‐infected Lolium perenne plants produced lolines only at elevated temperatures while non‐infected plants failed to synthesize these alkaloids under identical environmental conditions. Results indicate that presence of endophytic fungi together with growth at temperatures above 23°C is a prerequisite for induction of alkaloids detected in perennial ryegrass