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UK   Fighting Fungi in the Field  Animals grazing in a grassy
field might appear to be safe from harm, but a certain fungus
could be turning their food against them.  Christopher Schardl,
recipient of one of three University Research Professorships at
the University of Kentucky this year, plans to investigate
microscopic fungal endophytes living in tall fescue, the most
common forage grass in the Bluegrass area. These endophytes,
which grow within the plant tissues, help the grass by making it
more robust and warding off insects and drought. Similar
endophytes in most grasses are friendly to plant and animal
life.  But tall fescue is an unfortunate exception—the fungus in
tall fescue can prove toxic to wildlife or livestock, causing
animals to gain weight slowly, have lower conception rates, and
to possibly contract gangrene of the feet.  Schardl, a professor
of plant pathology, plans to research ways to eliminate the
genes in the fungus that cau