title: Epoxy-janthitrems, effects of temperature on in planta expression and their bioactivity against porina larvae

authors: Hennessy, Louise

subjects: Epoxy-janthitrem

abstract: Ryegrass infected with the endophyte AR37 is of significant value to New Zealand’s pastoral sector. It provides superior protection against a range of ryegrass pest insects, and added an estimated $42 million dollars to New Zealand’s economy between 2007 and 2011. Epoxy-janthitrem alkaloids, produced by AR37, are thought to provide this bioactivity, but limited experiments investigating this have been conducted to date. A porina larval bioassay was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem I, the major epoxy-janthitrem compound expressed by AR37. The alkaloid was found to be a feeding deterrent at all three concentrations tested (1, 2.5 and 5 μg/g wet weight), with stronger deterrence observed at the two higher concentrations. Some evidence of toxicity of epoxy-janthitrem I was also identified; future work to resolve this is discussed.
Temperature and ryegrass cultivar are two factors known to affect the concentration of alkaloids in ryegrass. How these factors affect epoxy-janthitrem concentrations in AR37-infetced ryegrass has never before been examined. Perennial and Italian ryegrass were grown in high (20°C) and low (7°C) temperature controlled environment rooms for 10-12 weeks, ryegrass was then freeze dried, ground and incorporated in a semi-synthetic diet which was fed to porina larvae to examine how these variations in alkaloid concentration would affect larvae. AR37-infected ryegrass grown at high temperature was found to contain higher concentrations of epoxy-janthitrem, which when fed to porina larvae had a strong anti-feedant effect and reduced larval survival. In comparison, AR37-infected ryegrass grown at low temperature had a small anti-feedant effect on larvae and only when in perennial ryegrass. Epoxy-janthitrem concentrations were slightly affected by plant cultivar and concentrations were identified to be higher in the pseudostems when compared to the leaves of ryegrass plants.
Findings from this thesis improve on the understanding of the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem and explain reports from colder areas of the country, that AR37 is not able to adequately control porina populations. Further research should clarify the limitations of the AR37 endophyte in cooler regions by first identifying whether these results are replicated in the field and then by identifying the temperature ranges the AR37 endophyte may not be as effective in.

text: Epoxy-janthitrems, effects of temperature on in planta expression and their bioactivity against porina larvae Ryegrass infected with the endophyte AR37 is of significant value to New Zealand’s pastoral sector. It provides superior protection against a range of ryegrass pest insects, and added an estimated $42 million dollars to New Zealand’s economy between 2007 and 2011. Epoxy-janthitrem alkaloids, produced by AR37, are thought to provide this bioactivity, but limited experiments investigating this have been conducted to date. A porina larval bioassay was undertaken to investigate the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem I, the major epoxy-janthitrem compound expressed by AR37. The alkaloid was found to be a feeding deterrent at all three concentrations tested (1, 2.5 and 5 μg/g wet weight), with stronger deterrence observed at the two higher concentrations. Some evidence of toxicity of epoxy-janthitrem I was also identified; future work to resolve this is discussed.
Temperature and ryegrass cultivar are two factors known to affect the concentration of alkaloids in ryegrass. How these factors affect epoxy-janthitrem concentrations in AR37-infetced ryegrass has never before been examined. Perennial and Italian ryegrass were grown in high (20°C) and low (7°C) temperature controlled environment rooms for 10-12 weeks, ryegrass was then freeze dried, ground and incorporated in a semi-synthetic diet which was fed to porina larvae to examine how these variations in alkaloid concentration would affect larvae. AR37-infected ryegrass grown at high temperature was found to contain higher concentrations of epoxy-janthitrem, which when fed to porina larvae had a strong anti-feedant effect and reduced larval survival. In comparison, AR37-infected ryegrass grown at low temperature had a small anti-feedant effect on larvae and only when in perennial ryegrass. Epoxy-janthitrem concentrations were slightly affected by plant cultivar and concentrations were identified to be higher in the pseudostems when compared to the leaves of ryegrass plants.
Findings from this thesis improve on the understanding of the bioactivity of epoxy-janthitrem and explain reports from colder areas of the country, that AR37 is not able to adequately control porina populations. Further research should clarify the limitations of the AR37 endophyte in cooler regions by first identifying whether these results are replicated in the field and then by identifying the temperature ranges the AR37 endophyte may not be as effective in.

year: 2015

title: PUCM Practice Development Programme (PDP): February 2005

authors: PUCM: Planning Under Co-operative Mandates

subjects: New Zealand

abstract: The purpose of this report is to identify a Practice Development Programme (PDP) for the presentation of relevant innovative practices and tools arising out of the first two Phases of PUCM (Planning Under Co-operative Mandates). During Phase 3 of the research (2004-2006) the PDP will be extended as new findings come to hand.

text: PUCM Practice Development Programme (PDP): February 2005 The purpose of this report is to identify a Practice Development Programme (PDP) for the presentation of relevant innovative practices and tools arising out of the first two Phases of PUCM (Planning Under Co-operative Mandates). During Phase 3 of the research (2004-2006) the PDP will be extended as new findings come to hand.

year: 2005-02

title: Akoranga whakarei: Learning about inclusion from four kura rumaki

authors: Berryman, Mere

subjects: Special education

abstract: In 2004 the New Zealand Ministry of Education proposed two research projects to understand how learning, social and cultural outcomes were being promoted for tamariki and rangatahi Māori with special educational needs in both kura auraki (English-medium schools) and kura rumaki (Māori-medium schools). 1hey also wanted to understand how this played out for other whānau members. At the time, a description of the services being promoted for Māori with special education needs acknowledged the philosophy that "tamariki and rangatahi with special needs and their whānau learn effectively through the provision of culturally competent services, which will ensure mana and tikanga are upheld" (Ministry of Education, 2003, p. 56). 
This chapter will briefly describe how this research was undertaken in kura rumaki and then discuss the findings that emerged. Perhaps not surprisingly, it will show that the staff from the kura who participated in this study, as with all of their students and whānau, had a very holistic and inclusive view of educating all tamariki and rangatahi, especially those with identified special education needs. The conclusion will consider some of the implications of these findings for others and propose that these research outcomes maintain relevance in 2014, a decade later.

text: Akoranga whakarei: Learning about inclusion from four kura rumaki In 2004 the New Zealand Ministry of Education proposed two research projects to understand how learning, social and cultural outcomes were being promoted for tamariki and rangatahi Māori with special educational needs in both kura auraki (English-medium schools) and kura rumaki (Māori-medium schools). 1hey also wanted to understand how this played out for other whānau members. At the time, a description of the services being promoted for Māori with special education needs acknowledged the philosophy that "tamariki and rangatahi with special needs and their whānau learn effectively through the provision of culturally competent services, which will ensure mana and tikanga are upheld" (Ministry of Education, 2003, p. 56). 
This chapter will briefly describe how this research was undertaken in kura rumaki and then discuss the findings that emerged. Perhaps not surprisingly, it will show that the staff from the kura who participated in this study, as with all of their students and whānau, had a very holistic and inclusive view of educating all tamariki and rangatahi, especially those with identified special education needs. The conclusion will consider some of the implications of these findings for others and propose that these research outcomes maintain relevance in 2014, a decade later.

year: 2015