Occurrence of Acremonium coenophialum in Tall Fescue in Tennessee. Elizabeth A. Long, Extension Assistant, Extension Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071. J. W. Hilty, Professor of Plant Pathology, Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37901-1071. Plant Dis. 69:467-468. Accepted for publication 14 November 1984. Copyright 1985 The American Phytopathological Society. DOI: 10.1094/PD-69-467.

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used for detection of Acremonium coenophialum, the endophyte associated with fescue toxicity in cattle. Thirty percent of the tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) plants sampled throughout Tennessee contained the fungus. Plants with the fungus were found in 83% of the counties sampled. Dissemination of infested seed may account for the wide distribution.