The enhanced tolerance to stresses, as compared with non-endophytic varieties, makes endophyte-infected grasses particularly suitable for low budget, low input, low... Endophyteenhancedgrasses are grasses that have beneficial fungi living within them. These fungi help the grasses store and use water more efficiently... However, not all endophytes are suited for use in enhancinggrass performance, and only those fungi that are symptomless endophytes of grasses are currently being used. While perusing grass seed mix labels at your local garden center, one label pops out at you because in big, bold letters saying, "EndophyteEnhanced." What are endophytes? 1. Grasses whose seeds and tissues contain a fungal endophyte that is beneficial to the overall health of the turf. Grasses and Epichloë endophytes often form defensive mutualistic symbioses. Most Epichloë species produce alkaloids to protect hosts from herbivores, but there is no strong evid … However, the intentional use of endophyte-enhancedgrasses is non-existent in Europe, although many European grass cultivars have great potential for improvement via endophytes. Endophytes have also been shown to increase a turfgrass stand’s ability to resist heat stress in species such as tall fescue and perennial ryegrass (Kane, 2011). So, you're intrigued by endophyte-enhancedgrasses and what they can do for your lawn? In essence, endophytes create a biochemical defense system within the grass itself. 39. Endophyte — enhanced turf grasses, What should you know?1.