| Abstract: | Many grasses in the subfamily Pooideae develop symbioses with Neotyphodium fungal endophytes, which exist widely in nature. The stably symbiotic relationship not only ensures accessible nutrients required by Neotyphodium fungal endophytes, but also significantly increases the resistance of host grasses to biological stresses through the production of secondary metabolites. Previous studies show that infected grasses with endophytic fungi have prominently enhanced resistance to pests, plant diseases, companion plants and other biological stresses. Grass endophytic fungi show remarkable resistant to at least 79 species of pests from three classes; arachnida, nematode and insecta, and to at least 22 species of pathogenic fungi. Although the biotechnological application of endophytic fungi in grass breeding for variety selection and quality improvement has progressed well, opportunities remain for further exploring the use of fungal endophytes among different host grasses coupled with the examination of genetic stability of Neotyphodium in novel host grasses. In the future application of endophytic fungi as a bio-control method, researchers should not only consider specificities of host grasses, but also need to have comprehensive analysis and knowledge about the mutual relationships among grasses, endophytic fungi and ecological environments, which will help use endophytic fungi to better serve humanity. |
