Neotyphodium Coenophialum-Infected Tall Fescue and Its Potential Application in the Phytoremediation of Saline Soils

The growth response of endophyte-infected (EI) and endophyte-free (EF) tall fescue to salt stress was investigated under two growing systems (hydroponic and soil in pots). The hydroponic experiment showed that endophyte infection significantly increased tiller and leaf number, which led to an increase in the total biomass of the host grass. Endophyte infection enhanced Na accumulation in the host grass and improved Na transport from the roots to the shoots. With a 15 g l^?1 NaCl treatment, the phytoextraction efficiency of EI tall fescue was 2.34-fold higher than EF plants. When the plants were grown in saline soils, endophyte infection also significantly increased tiller number, shoot height and the total biomass of the host grass. Although EI tall fescue cannot accumulate Na to a level high enough for it to be termed a halophyte, the increased biomass production and stress tolerance suggested that endophyte / plant associations had the potential to be a model for endophyte-assisted phytoextraction in saline soils.     

Endophytes inconsistently affect plant communities across Schedonorus arundinaceus hosts

Fungal endophytes in cool-season grasses may affect communities at multiple trophic levels. However, it is unclear whether community-scale endophyte effects arise due to the endophyte itself or as a result of unique, endophyte–host interactions. We used a long-term field experiment to test whether common-toxic (CT) and non-ergot alkaloid-producing (novel) endophytes in Schedonorus arundinaceus (tall fescue) forage cultivars consistently affect communities across tall fescue hosts. Tilled plots (2 × 2 m; Guelph, ON) were seeded with Georgia 5 and Jesup cultivars containing either the CT or AR542 (novel) endophyte and allowed to be re-colonized by plant species from the local propagule pool. Non-seeded control plots were included to assess effects of seeding the non-native grass. We assessed plant, invertebrate, soil moisture, and soil nutrient responses to the endophyte–cultivar treatments after four growing seasons. Seeding tall fescue affected plant species abundances, but not richness, and did not consistently alter soil moisture and nutrient pools. Endophyte identity in the tall fescue cultivars affected the communities, but effects were not consistent between cultivars. Within Georgia 5, the AR542 endophyte reduced tall fescue abundance and altered the invertebrate community relative to CT plots. Within Jesup, the AR542 endophyte reduced species evenness and decreased soil moisture during dry periods relative to CT plots. Endophyte effects were not consistent between cultivars, and it is probable that the community-scale effects of endophyte infection in tall fescue cultivars arise due to unique interactions between cultivar and endophyte.     

Effects of the endophyte Epichloë coenophiala on the root microbial community and growth performance of tall fescue in different saline-alkali soils

Soil salinization is detrimental to plant growth and yield in agroecosystems worldwide. Epichloë endophytes, a class of clavicipitaceous fungi, enhance the resistance of host plants to saline-alkali stress. This study explored the effects of the systemic fungal endophyte Epichloë coenophiala on the root microbial community and growth performance of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) growing under different saline-alkali stress conditions. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was conducted to analyze the direct and indirect effects (mediated by root microbial community diversity and soil properties) of the endophyte on the growth of tall fescue under saline-alkali stress. The endophyte-infected plants produced higher shoot and root biomass compared to endophyte-free plants under saline-alkali stress (200 and 400 mM). Endophyte infection increased the fungal community diversity and altered its composition in the roots, decreasing the relative abundance of Ascomycota and increasing that of Glomeromycota. Furthermore, endophyte infection decreased the bacterial community diversity and the relative abundance of dominant Proteobacteria. SEM showed that endophyte infection increased the shoot and root biomass under saline-alkali stress (200 and 400 mM) by increasing the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity in the roots, and soil total nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations. Therefore, it is important to examine aboveground microbes as factors influencing plant growth in saline-alkali stress by affecting belowground microbes and soil chemical properties.     

内生真菌感染对宿主植物高羊茅锌耐受性的影响

以感染内生真菌(Neotyphodium coenophialum)和未感染内生真菌的高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)为实验材料,在营养液中加入ZnSO4进行锌胁迫实验,分析内生真菌对宿主植物锌耐受性的影响。与未感染内生真菌的植株相比,内生真菌感染对高羊茅的总生物量没有显著增益作用,但增加了分蘖数和叶片延伸生长累积值。内生真菌感染降低了高羊茅中Zn2+的总含量,改变了锌在高羊茅中的分配,增加叶鞘中锌的含量,减少叶片中锌的含量。在高锌浓度下,内生真菌感染对净光合速率的变化没有影响,但是显著提高了其宿主的PSⅡ光化学效率(Fv/Fm)。总体来看,内生真菌感染改善宿主高羊茅的锌耐受性。     

Does Fungal Endophyte Infection Improve Tall Fescue’s Growth Response to Fire and Water Limitation?

Invasive species may owe some of their success in competing and co-existing with native species to microbial symbioses they are capable of forming. Tall fescue is a cool-season, non-native, invasive grass capable of co-existing with native warm-season grasses in North American grasslands that frequently experience fire, drought, and cold winters, conditions to which the native species should be better-adapted than tall fescue. We hypothesized that tall fescue’s ability to form a symbiosis with Neotyphodium coenophialum, an aboveground fungal endophyte, may enhance its environmental stress tolerance and persistence in these environments. We used a greenhouse experiment to examine the effects of endophyte infection (E+ vs. E−), prescribed fire (1 burn vs. 2 burn vs. unburned control), and watering regime (dry vs. wet) on tall fescue growth. We assessed treatment effects for growth rates and the following response variables: total tiller length, number of tillers recruited during the experiment, number of reproductive tillers, tiller biomass, root biomass, and total biomass. Water regime significantly affected all response variables, with less growth and lower growth rates observed under the dry water regime compared to the wet. The burn treatments significantly affected total tiller length, number of reproductive tillers, total tiller biomass, and total biomass, but treatment differences were not consistent across parameters. Overall, fire seemed to enhance growth. Endophyte status significantly affected total tiller length and tiller biomass, but the effect was opposite what we predicted (E−>E+). The results from our experiment indicated that tall fescue was relatively tolerant of fire, even when combined with dry conditions, and that the fungal endophyte symbiosis was not important in governing this ecological ability. The persistence of tall fescue in native grassland ecosystems may be linked to other endophyte-conferred abilities not measured here (e.g., herbivory release) or may not be related to this plant-microbial symbiosis.     

不同浓度和形态磷处理下内生真菌感染对高羊茅的影响

以感染内生真菌(endophyte-infected,EI)和不感染内生真菌(endophyte-free,EF)的高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)为材料,在温室沙培条件下研究内生真菌对高羊茅适应缺磷及利用不同形态磷肥的影响。结果表明,1)缺磷条件下,高羊茅EI和EF植株生长差异不显著;正常供磷条件下,高羊茅EI植株拥有更多分蘖数和绿叶数。说明正常供磷条件下内生真菌改善了宿主高羊茅的生长。2)与水溶性磷相比,高羊茅根有机酸和酸性磷酸酶(acid phosphatase,APase)活性在难溶性磷条件下显著增加,而根总酚含量无显著变化。在水溶性磷条件下,高羊茅EI植株根总酚含量显著高于EF植株,此时EI植株比EF植株拥有更多分蘖数和绿叶数,说明在水溶性磷条件下内生真菌对宿主地上部生长具有一定贡献。在难溶性磷条件下,虽然高羊茅EI植株根总酚含量仍然高于EF植株,但同时EI植株根有机酸含量显著低于EF植株,因此内生真菌感染只是增大了宿主植物的根冠比,而对分蘖数和绿叶数等无显著影响,说明内生真菌对宿主利用难溶性磷贡献不大。可见,内生真菌对宿主植物的生长在水溶性磷条件下更有利。     

内生真菌和丛枝菌根真菌对羊草生长的影响

该研究比较了摩西球囊霉(Glmous mosseae)和幼套球囊霉(Glmous etunicatum)两种丛枝菌根真菌和内生真菌单独及混合接种对羊草(Leymus chinensis)生长的影响。结果表明, 内生真菌对2种菌根真菌的侵染均无显著影响, 内生真菌可极显著增加羊草的分蘖数、地上生物量、总生物量。内生真菌与菌根真菌之间的相互作用因菌根真菌种类而不同, 幼套球囊霉对宿主植物生长无明显影响且和内生真菌之间也无明显的相互作用; 单独接种摩西球囊霉显著增加羊草的地上、地下和总生物量, 当其与内生真菌共同存在时, 二者之间存在一定的拮抗作用。冗余分析结果表明, 在内生真菌-AM真菌-羊草共生体中, 内生真菌对宿主植物生长的影响最大, 摩西球囊霉对宿主植物生长也有一定的贡献, 幼套球囊霉对宿主植物生长无明显影响。     

Shoot specific fungal endophytes alter soil phosphorus (P) fractions and potential acid phosphatase activity but do not increase P uptake in tall fescue

Aims

An experiment was performed to test how different fungal endophyte strains influenced tall fescue’s ability to access P from four P sources varying in solubility.

Methods

Novel endophyte infected (AR542E+ or AR584E+), common toxic endophyte infected (CTE+), or endophyte-free (E-) tall fescues were grown for 90 days in acidic soils amended with 30 mg kg^?1 P of potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH₂PO₄), iron phosphate (FePO₄), aluminum phosphate (AlPO₄), or tricalcium phosphate ((Ca₃(PO₄)₂), respectively.

Results

Phosphorus form strongly influenced plant biomass, P acquisition, agronomic P use efficiency, microbial communities, P fractions. P uptake and vegetative biomass were similar for plants grown with AlPO₄, Ca₃(PO₄)₂, and KH₂PO₄ but greater than in control and FePO₄ soils. Infection with AR542E+ resulted in significantly less shoot biomass than CTE+ and E- varieties; there was no influence of endophyte on root biomass. The biomarker for arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AM fungi, 16:1ω5c) was selected as an effective predictor of variations in P uptake and tall fescue biomass. Potential acid phosphatase activity was strongly influenced by endophyte x P form interaction.

Conclusions

Endophyte infection in tall fescue significantly affected the NaOH-extractable inorganic P fraction, but had little detectable influence on soil microbial community structure, root biomass, or P uptake.

     

Restoration of Native Warm Season Grassland Species in a Tall Fescue Pasture Using Prescribed Fire and Herbicides

Pastures dominated by tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.) Holub) cover much of the eastern United States, and there are increasing efforts to restore native grassland plant species to some of these areas. Prescribed fire and herbicide are frequently used to limit the growth of tall fescue and other non‐natives, while encouraging native grasses and forbs. A fungal endophyte, commonly present in tall fescue, can confer competitive advantages to the host plant, and may play a role in determining the ability of tall fescue plants to persist in pastures following restoration practices. We compared vegetation composition among four actively restored subunits of a tall fescue pasture (each receiving different combinations of prescribed fire and/or herbicide) and a control. We also measured the rate of endophyte infection in tall fescue present within each restoration treatment and control to determine if restoration resulted in lower tall fescue cover but higher endophyte infection rates (i.e. selected for endophyte‐infected individuals). Tall fescue cover was low in all restoration treatments and the control (1.1–17.9%). The control (unmanaged) had higher species richness than restoration treatments and plant community composition was indicative of succession to forest. Restoration practices resulted in higher cover of native warm season grasses, but in some cases also promoted a different undesirable species. We found no evidence of higher fungal endophyte presence in tall fescue following restoration, as all subunits had low endophyte infection rates (2.2–9.3%). Restoration of tall fescue systems using prescribed fire and herbicide may be used to promote native grassland species.     

Effects of endophytic fungi on some drought tolerance mechanisms of tall fescue in a hydroponics culture

Neotyphodium, a seed-transmissible nonpathogenic fungal endophyte (symbiont) is considered beneficial because endophyte-infected grasses are more drought-tolerant, produce more dry matter, utilize soil nitrogen more efficiently, and deter insects. In this study, the effects of endophytes on physiological mechanisms of drought tolerance in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were studied in a greenhouse. Two clonally propagated genotypes of tall fescue (F. arundinacea Schreb.), naturally containing endophyte (EI), and their endophyte-free ramets (EF) were tested at three water stress treatments exerted by PEG 6000 in a hydroponics system. Relative water content (RWC), cell membrane stability (CMS), proline and chlorophyll contents in plant leaves were measured during water stress treatments. After harvest, K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺ contents were measured in plant roots and shoots. After 20 days under stress conditions, plants were transferred to basal hydroponics medium, and their survival after stress relief was evaluated. The results showed that endophyte considerably contributes to host grass water stress tolerance. Both genotypes of EI and EF plants did not differ in RWC, but, regardless of the infection status, genotype 75 had the higher RWC than genotype 83. EI clones of both genotypes maintained slightly higher chlorophyll content and membrane stability than EF clones, although these differences were not significant. The EI plants of genotype 83 concentrated significantly more proline than EF plants, but in the genotype 75, differences between EI and EF clones were not significant. Plant mineral absorption was also influenced by the endophyte presence. EI clones had the higher concentrations of K⁺ in the shoots of both genotypes. The Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ contents in EF plants of both genotypes were higher than EI plants in the roots, but in the shoots there were no differences between EI and EF clones. EI clones survived longer after stress removal. These results strongly suggest that Neotyphodium endophytes exert their effects on tall fescue drought tolerance through alteration of various physiological mechanisms involved. Published in Russian in Fiziologiya Rastenii, 2009, Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 563–570. This test was submitted by the authors in English.     

盐碱胁迫对染内生菌和不染菌苇状羊茅根系丛枝菌根真菌群落多样性和组成的影响

香柱菌属Epichloë内生真菌存在于宿主植物地上部组织,不仅能提高宿主植物对生物与非生物逆境的抗性,而且能对周围环境中的微生物产生影响。该研究以染内生菌(endophyte-infected,EI)和不染菌(endophyte-free,EF)苇状羊茅Festuca arundinacea为实验材料,探究内生真菌和不同水平盐碱胁迫处理对宿主根系丛枝菌根真菌(arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi,AMF)群落多样性和组成的影响。结果表明,内生真菌和盐碱胁迫处理对苇状羊茅根系AMF多样性影响存在交互作用。EF苇状羊茅根系AMF多样性随盐碱胁迫处理水平的增加而降低,内生真菌的存在缓解了这一效应,在200和400 mmol/L盐碱胁迫处理下,内生真菌感染增加了苇状羊茅根系AMF多样性;此外,内生真菌感染改变了苇状羊茅根系AMF群落组成,降低了优势属Funneliformis相对多度,增加了Claroideoglomus、Glomus和unclassified AMF相对多度。结构方程模型结果表明,内生真菌通过间接增加土壤总磷浓度对苇状羊茅根系AMF多样性产生影响。本研究为筛选盐碱污染区生态修复的植物-微生物共生体提供基础。     

Soil organic carbon fractions differ in two contrasting tall fescue systems

The value of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) for C sequestration in addition to forage production and soil conservation is of current interest. However, studies relating to the impacts of endophyte infected (E+) and endophyte free (E?) tall fescue on soil organic matter fractions are few. This study examined how E+ and E? growth affected soil C fractions 4 years after establishment. The study site was at the University of Kentucky research farm, Lexington, Kentucky, USA. From soil cores in replicated fields we measured total C, particulate organic matter C (POM C), microbial biomass C (MBC), mineralizable C (Min C), C in aggregates, and aggregate distribution at depths of 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. Significant effects between E+ and E- fescue were sometimes observed for MBC, Min C, C in micro-aggregates, and aggregate distribution, but not for total C, and POM C. At 0?C15 cm MBC (E+ 26% greater than E?), Min C (E+ 43% lower than E?), C associated with micro-aggregates (E+ 15% lower than E?), and micro-aggregates (46% more micro-aggregates in E+ than E?), were affected by endophyte infection, confirming hypotheses that early changes in soil properties were reflected in labile C fractions and soil structure. Endophyte infection status in tall fescue has quantifiable effects on C sequestration and soil structure, achievable in a relatively short period that can be used to monitor conservation efforts and the consequences of pasture renovation strategies.     

Fungal endophyte presence and genotype affect plant diversity and soil-to-atmosphere trace gas fluxes

Aims

Novel fungal endophyte (Neotyphodium coenophialum; Latch, Christensen and Samuels; Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin) genotypes in symbiosis with tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum; Schreb. Darbysh.) have been recently introduced to agricultural seed markets. These novel endophytes do not produce the full suite of toxins that the ‘common toxic’ form does, and therefore, may not have the same consequences on plant and soil processes. Here, we evaluated the effects of endophyte presence and genotype on ecosystem processes of tall fescue stands.

Methods

We quantified the effects of the presence of the common toxic endophyte (CT), two novel endophyte genotypes (AR-542, AR-584), no endophyte (endophyte free, E-), and a mixture of all endophyte statuses (mix) within a single genotype of tall fescue (PDF) on various soil and plant parameters.

Results

Endophyte presence and genotype affected tall fescue cover and plant species diversity: cover—CT, AR-542, AR -584, mix > E- and species diversity—E- > AR-542, AR -584 > CT, mix. Most measured soil parameters had significant endophyte effects. For example, higher fluxes of soil CO₂ and N₂O were measured from stands of AR-542 than from the other endophyte treatments.

Conclusions

These results indicate that endophyte presence and genetic identity are important in understanding the ecosystem-scale effects of this agronomically important grass-fungal symbiosis.     

The Effect of Endophytic Fungi on Nematode Populations in Summer-dormant and Summer-active Tall Fescue

Summer-active (continental) and summer-dormant (Mediterranean) tall fescue morphotypes are each adapted to different environmental conditions. Endophyte presence provides plant parasitic nematode resistance, but not with all endophyte strains and cultivar combinations. This study sought to compare effects of four nematode genera on continental and Mediterranean cultivars infected with common toxic or novel endophyte strains. A 6-mon greenhouse study was conducted with continental cultivars, Kentucky 31 (common toxic) and Texoma MaxQ II (novel endophyte) and the Mediterranean cultivar Flecha MaxQ (novel endophyte). Endophyte-free plants of each cultivar were controls. Each cultivar × endophyte combination was randomly assigned to a control, low or high inoculation rate of a mixed nematode culture containing stunt nematodes (Tylenchorhynchus spp.), ring nematodes (Criconemella spp.), spiral nematodes (Helicotylenchus spp.), and lesion nematodes (Pratylenchus spp.). Endophyte infection had no effect on nematode population densities. The cultivar × endophyte interaction was significant. Population densities of stunt nematode, spiral nematode, and ring nematodes were higher for Flecha MaxQ than other cultivar × endophyte combinations. Novel endophyte infection enhances suitability of Flecha MaxQ as a nematode host.     

Does Endophyte Influence Regrowth of Tall Fescue?

The influence of ecological and environmental factors on theresponse of the mutualistic symbionts Acremonium coenophialum(Morgan-Jones and Gams), and tall fescue ( Festuca arundinacea,Schreb.) has received substantial attention. However, much ofwhat is known about developmental and physiological responseshas been obtained from static or mature canopies and the influenceof defoliation on the symbiota has not been considered in detail.A controlled environment experiment was conducted to assessthe influence of defoliation and endophyte on the regrowth anddevelopment of two tall fescue genotypes and their respectiveendophytes, known to differ in morphology and alkaloid productioncapacity. The response of endophyte infected relative to non-infectedplants was evaluated for measured and calculated parametersfor each defoliation. While the influence of genotype was substantialon virtually all parameters, endophyte interacted with genotypeand defoliation resulting in enhanced plasticity of mutualistsas a response to varying conditions. Endophyte infection influencedleaf mass depending upon genotype, while the relative benefitof endophyte on pseudostem mass was affected by defoliation.Endophyte interacted with genotype to influence relative growthrate and productivity relative to nitrogen concentration whencanopies were clipped, but was less important when canopiesremained uncut. In some instances endophyte gave growth andsize advantage to the host and did not in others. Generalitiesregarding symbiont response to extrinsic factors may be misleading,since responses depend upon the specific mutualism consideredand conditions imposed. Acremonium coenophialum ; Festuca arundinacea ; non-structural carbohydrate; relative growth rate     

丛枝菌根真菌与高羊茅协同修复镉污染土壤

本研究采用温室盆栽试验,利用丛枝菌根（AM）真菌摩西管柄囊霉Funneliformis mosseae进行接种试验,研究了在Cd胁迫下（0、5、15和30mg/kg）接种AM真菌对高羊茅Festuca elata ‘Crossfire II’的生物量、防御酶活性、磷和镉（Cd）含量的影响。结果表明,随着Cd浓度的增加,高羊茅的菌根侵染率和菌根相对依赖性有所增加。接种AM真菌改善了磷从植株根系向地上部的转运,有助于植株在地上部积累更多的磷。此外,AM真菌和Cd胁迫对高羊茅植株抗氧化酶活性都有显著影响,在镉胁迫下,与未接种植株相比,接种AM真菌显著提高了植株的过氧化氢酶活性,而显著降低了植株的丙二醛含量。与未接种植株相比,接种摩西管柄囊霉显著提高了寄主植物对Cd的富集能力,有利于重金属在根部的积累,同时降低了地上部的Cd含量。本研究表明,高羊茅-丛枝菌根共生体在Cd污染土壤的修复中具有潜在应用价值。     

Leaf endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum modifies mineral uptake in tall fescue

Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon and Hanlin, a fungal endophyte found primarily in shoots of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Shreb.), can modify rhizosphere activity in response to phosphorus (P) deficiency. In a controlled environment experiment, two cloned tall fescue genotypes (DN2 and DN4) free (E-) and infected (E+) with their naturally occurring endophyte strains were grown in nutrient solutions at low P (3.1 ppm) or high P (31 ppm) concentrations for 21 d. Endophyte infection increased root dry matter (DM) of DN4 by 21% but did not affect root DM of DN2. Under P deficiency, shoot and total DM were not affected by endophyte but relative growth rate was greater in E+ than E- plants. In high P nutrient solution, E+ plants produced 13% less (DN2) or 29% more (DN4) shoot DM than E- plants. Endophyte affected mineral concentrations in roots more than in shoots. Regardless of P concentration in nutrient solution, E+ DN2 accumulated more P, Ca, Zn and Cu but less K in roots than E- plants. When grown in high P nutrient solution, concentrations of Fe and B in roots of E+ DN2 plants were reduced compared with those of E- plants. Concentrations of P, Ca and Cu in roots of DN4 were less, but K was greater in E+ than E- plants. In shoots, E+ DN2 had greater concentrations of Fe and Cu than E- DN2, regardless of P concentration in nutrient solution. Genotype DN4 responded to endophyte infection by reducing B concentration in shoots. Nutrient uptake rates were affected by endophyte infection in plants grown in low P nutrient solution. A greater uptake rate of most nutrients and their transport to shoots was observed in DN2, but responses of DN4 were not consistent. Results suggest that endophyte may elicit different modes of tall fescue adaptation to P deficiency. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Photosynthetic pigments and photosynthetic products of endophyte-infected and endophyte-free Lolium perenne L. under drought stress conditions

Endophyte-infected (EI) seeds of Lolium perenne L. were used to attain endophyte-free (EF) population by heating the seeds at 43°C for 15 min and then 57°C for 25 min. Relative water content (RWC), chlorophyll, soluble sugar and starch content of EI and EF populations under normal and drought stress conditions were compared to investigate the effect of endophyte infection on the host plant. Under severe stress, RWC of EI leaf was significantly higher than that of EF leaf, i.e. EI plants took more advantages over EF plants in water-holding ability. Under mild stress, endophyte could enhance soluble sugars in host plants to improve their osmotic ability. With stress intensification, the improvement of endophyte no longer existed, and more photosynthetic products (such as starch) accumulated in EI plants to survive through the undesirable conditions. In the next spring, EI populations will recover more rapidly than EF populations. The biomass of a population is closely related to its photosynthesis. Under severe stress, EI population significantly accumulated more biomass than EF population. As far as photosynthetic pigments were concerned, contents of Chla, Chlb and Car of EI plants were close to those of EF plants, which suggested that endophyte infection didn’t alleviate photosynthetic pigments from being destroyed by drought stress, and endophyte might improve photosynthesis ability of its host plant in other ways.     

Photosynthetic pigments and photosynthetic products of endophyte-infected and endophyte-free Lolium perenne L.under drought strees conditions

Endophyte-infected fED seeds of Lolium perenne L.were used to attain endophyte-free fED population by heating the seeds at 43℃ for 15 min and then 57℃ for 25 min.Relative water content(RWC),chlorophyll,soluble sugar and starch content of EI and EF populations under normal and drought stress conditions were compared to investigate the effect of endophyte infection on the host plant.Under severe stress.RWC of EI leaf was significantly higher than that Of EF leaf,i.e.EI plants took more advantages over EF plants in water-holding ability.Under mild stress,endophytc could enhance soluble sugars in host plants to improve their osmotic ability.With stress intensification,the improvement of endophyte no longer existed,and more photosynthetic products(such as starch)accumulated in EI plants to survive through the undesirable condidons.In the next spring,EI populations will recover more rapidly than EF populations.The biomass of a population is closely related to its photosynthesis.Under severe stress,EI population significantly accumulated more biomass than EF population.As far as photosynthetic pigments were concerned,contents of Chla,Chlb and Car of EI plants were close to those of EF plants,which suggested that endophyte infection didn't alleviate photosynthetic pigments from being destroyed by drought stress,and endophyte might improve photosynthesis ability of its host plant in other ways.     

The Effects of Endophytes on Seed Production and Seed Predation of Tall Fescue and Meadow Fescue

Fungal endophytes of grasses are often included in agricultural management and in ecological studies of natural grass populations. In European agriculture and ecological studies, however, grass endophytes are largely ignored. In this study, we determined endophyte infection frequencies of 13 European cultivars and 49 wild tall fescue (Schedonorus phoenix) populations in Northern Europe. We then examined seed production and seed predation of endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E?) tall fescue (in wild grass populations and in a field experiment) and meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis; in a field experiment only). Endophytes were detected in only one of the 13 cultivars. In contrast, >90% of wild tall fescue plants harbored endophytes in 45 wild populations but were absent in three inland populations in Estonia. In three wild tall fescue study sites, 17%, 22%, and 56% of the seeds were preyed upon by the cocksfoot moth. Endophyte infection did not affect seed mass of tall fescue in the field experiment. However, seed predation was lower in E+ than E? grasses in the two tall fescue populations with higher predation rates. For meadow fescue, the mean number of seeds from E+ plants was higher than E? plants, but E? and E+ seeds had equal rates of predation by the moth. Our results suggest that the effects of grass endophytes on seed production and cocksfoot moth seed predation vary considerably among grass species, and the effects may depend on herbivore pressure and other environmental conditions.