Effects of endophyte fungal species and host plant genotype on the leaf shape and leaf area of endophyte-grass symbionts

Aims Epichloë infection can play an important role in the growth and development of host plants. However, few studies have been reported on the effects of endophyte infection on leaf shape and area of host plants. Methods Our study used Achnatherum sibiricum as experimental material, and explored the effects of endophyte species and host plant genotype on the leaf shape and area of A. sibiricum-endophyte symbionts through the combination of the length and width method with the revised correction coefficient and the scanning calculation method. Important findings Endophyte infection status, endophyte species and host plant genotype had no significant influences on the correction coefficient of leaf size calculation, leaf length, leaf width and leaf length-width ratio reflecting leaf shape. By calculation and verification, we determined that the correction coefficient of leaf size calculation of A. sibiricum was 0.594 9. There was no significant difference between the leaf areas measured by length and width method with the revised correction coefficient and the scanning calculation method. In addition, the leaf areas measured by two methods were not significantly affected by endophyte infection, endophyte species and plant maternal genotype.