Effects of cross host species inoculation of nitrogen‐fixing endophytes on growth and leaf physiology of maize

Plants that grow and thrive under abiotic stress often do so with the help of endophytic microorganisms. Although nitrogen‐fixing (diazotrophic) endophytes colonize many wild plants, these natural relationships may be disrupted in cultivated crop species where breeding and genotype selection often occur under conditions of intensive fertilization and irrigation. Many energy crops including corn may still benefit from diazotrophic endophyte inoculations allowing for more efficient biomass production with less input of petroleum‐derived fertilizer. A selection of diazotrophic endophytes isolated from willow (Salix sitchensis, Sitka willow) and poplar (Populus trichocarpa, black cottonwood) growing in nutrient‐poor river sides were used as inoculum in three experiments testing the effect on plant growth and leaf level physiology of a sweet corn variety under various levels of applied nitrogen fertilizer. We report substantial growth promotion with improved leaf physiology of corn plants in response to diazotrophic endophyte inoculations. Significant gains of early biomass with a greater root : shoot ratio were found for plants receiving endophytic inocula over the uninoculated control groups regardless of the nitrogen level. Furthermore, inoculated plants exhibited consistently higher rates of net CO₂ assimilation than did those without endophytic inoculation. These results have beneficial implications for enhanced plant growth in a low‐input system on nutrient‐poor sites. The immediate increase of root mass observed in endophyte inoculated plants has the potential to provide better establishment and early growth in resource‐limited environments. The initial results of this study also indicate that the beneficial effect from endophytes isolated from poplar and willow species is not restricted to the species from which they were initially isolated.     

Plant population and genotype effects override the effects of Epichloë endophyte species on growth and drought stress response of Achnatherum robustum plants in two natural grass populations

Aims In cool-season grasses, systemic and vertically transmitted Epichlo? infections often provide a suite of benefits including increased growth, reproduction and competitive abilities. However, these effects of Epichlo? endophytes on their hosts often depend upon host and endophyte genotype and environmental factors.Methods Achnatherum robustum (sleepygrass) harbors at least two Epichlo? species within natural populations in the Southwest USA. We tested the effects of endophyte infection and species, host population and plant genotype (by experimentally removing the endophyte), and soil moisture (a key limiting factor) on growth and drought stress response of infected A. robustum plants from two populations (Weed and Cloudcroft) in the Sacremento Mountains of New Mexico, USA).Important findings Although the two populations harbor distinct Epichlo? species each with very different chemoprofiles, neither endophyte status (infected vs. uninfected) nor endophyte species affected most growth parameters at 8 or 25 weeks of the experiment, except for leaf length. In high water treatment, infected plants from the Weed population had longer leaf length compared with uninfected plants. In contrast, the population of origin affected all growth parameters, including plant height, leaf number, length and width, tiller number and shoot and root biomass, as well as wilting time. Grasses from the Cloudcroft population generally showed greater growth than grasses from the Weed population. Endophyte infection did affect wilting time, with infection in the Weed population generally reducing time to wilting under low and high water, whereas infection in the Cloudcroft population reduced time to wilting only under high water conditions. Our results suggest that plant population and their associated plant genotypes may play a much larger role in endophyte–host grass interactions in varying environments than previously thought. Asexual Epichlo? species may be compatible with only specific host genotypes within populations such that the phenotypic effects due to population may be greater than phenotypic changes influenced by variation in the endophyte.     

Contrasting diurnal variations in soil organic carbon decomposition and root respiration due to a hysteresis effect with soil temperature in a Gossypium s. (cotton) plantation

Cool-season grasses commonly harbor fungal endophytes in their aerial tissues. However the effects of these symbionts on soil microbial communities have rarely been investigated. Our objective was to explore microbial community responses in soils conditioned by plants of the annual grass Lolium multiflorum with contrasting levels of infection with the endophyte Neotyphodium occultans. At the end of the host growing season, we estimated the functional capacity of soil microbial communities (via catabolic response profiles), the contribution of fungi and bacteria to soil activity (via selective inhibition with antibiotics), and the structure of both microbial communities by molecular analyses. Soil conditioning by highly infected plants affected soil catabolic profiles and tended to increase soil fungal activity. We detected a shift in bacterial community structure while no changes were observed for fungi. Soil responses became evident even without changes in host plant biomass or soil organic carbon or total nitrogen content, suggesting that the endophyte modified host rhizodepositions during the conditioning phase. Our results have implications for the understanding of the reciprocal interactions between above and belowground communities, suggesting that plant-soil feedbacks can be mediated by this symbiosis.     

Fungal endophytes: common host plant symbionts but uncommon mutualists

Fungal endophytes are extremely common and highly diverse microorganismsthat live within plant tissues, but usually remain asymptomatic.Endophytes traditionally have been considered plant mutualists,mainly by reducing herbivory via production of mycotoxins, suchas alkaloids. However, the vast majority of endophytes, especiallyhorizontally-transmitted ones commonly found in woody plants,apparently have little or no effect on herbivores. For the systemic,vertically-transmitted endophytes of grasses, mutualistic interactionsvia increased resistance to herbivores and pathogens are morecommon, as predicted by evolutionary theory. However, even inthese obligate symbioses, endophytes are often neutral or evenpathogenic to the host grass, depending on endophyte and plantgenotype and environmental conditions. We present a graphical model based upon variation in nitrogenflux in the host plant. Nitrogen is a common currency in endophyte/hostand plant/herbivore interactions in terms of limitations tohost plant growth, enhanced uptake by endophytes, demand forsynthesis of nitrogen-rich alkaloids, and herbivore preferenceand performance. Our graphical model predicts that low alkaloid-producingendophytes should persist in populations when soil nutrientsand herbivory are low. Alternatively, high alkaloid endophytesare favored under increasing herbivory and increasing soil nitrogen,at least to some point. At very high soil nitrogen levels, uninfectedplants may be favored over either type of infected plants. Thesepredictions are supported by patterns of infection and alkaloidproduction in nature, as well by a manipulative field experiment.However, plant genotype and other environmental factors, suchas available water, interact with the presence of the endophyteto influence host plant performance.     

ENDOPHYTIC BACTERIA FROM SEEDS OF NICOTIANA TABACUM CAN REDUCE CADMIUM PHYTOTOXICITY

Although endophytic bacteria seem to have a close association with their host plant, little is known about the influence of seed endophytic bacteria on initial plant development and on their interactions with plants under conditions of metal toxicity. In order to further elucidate this close relationship, we isolated endophytic bacteria from surface sterilized Nicotiana tabacum seeds that were collected from plants cultivated on a cadmium-(Cd) and zinc-enriched soil. Many of the isolated strains showed Cd tolerance. Sterilely grown tobacco plants were inoculated with either the endogenous microbial consortium, composed of cultivable and noncultivable strains; single strains; or defined consortia of the most representative cultivable strains. Subsequently, the effects of inoculation of endophytic bacteria on plant development and on metal and nutrient uptake were explored under conditions with and without exposure to Cd. In general, seed endophytes were found to have a positive effect on plant growth, as was illustrated by an increase in biomass production under conditions without Cd. In several cases, inoculation with endophytes resulted in improved biomass production under conditions of Cd stress, as well as in a higher plant Cd concentration and total plant Cd content compared to noninoculated plants. These results demonstrate the beneficial effects of seed endophytes on metal toxicity and accumulation, and suggest practical applications using inoculated seeds as a vector for plant beneficial bacteria.     

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。     

Root endophytic Penicillium promotes growth of Antarctic vascular plants by enhancing nitrogen mineralization

Fungal endophyte associations have been suggested as a possible strategy of Antarctic vascular plants for surviving the extreme environmental conditions of Antarctica. However, the mechanisms by which this occurs are still poorly understood. The role of root fungal endophytes in nitrogen mineralization and nutrient uptake, as well as their impact on the performance of Antarctic plants, were studied. We tested root endophytes, isolated from Colobanthus quitensis and Deschampsia antarctica, for lignocellulolytic enzyme production, nitrogen mineralization, and growth enhancement of their host plants. Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium brevicompactum were identified using a molecular approach as the main root endophytes inhabiting C. quitensis and D. antarctica, respectively. Both root endophytes were characterized as psychrophilic fungi displaying amylase, esterase, protease, cellulase, hemicellulase, phosphatase and urease enzymatic activities, mainly at 4 °C. Moreover, the rates and percentages of nitrogen mineralization, as well as the final total biomass, were significantly higher in symbiotic C. quitensis and D. antarctica individuals. Our findings suggest that root endophytes exert a pivotal ecological role based not only to breakdown different nutrient sources but also on accelerating nitrogen mineralization, improving nutrient acquisition, and therefore promoting plant growth in Antarctic terrestrial ecosystems.

     

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.     

In Vitro Morphogenesis of Arabidopsis to Search for Novel Endophytic Fungi Modulating Plant Growth

Fungal endophytes have shown to affect plant growth and to confer stress tolerance to the host; however, effects of endophytes isolated from water plants have been poorly investigated. In this study, fungi isolated from stems (stem-E) and roots (root-E) of Mentha aquatica L. (water mint) were identified, and their morphogenetic properties analysed on in vitro cultured Arabidopsis (L.) Heynh., 14 and 21 days after inoculation (DAI). Nineteen fungi were analysed and, based on ITS analysis, 17 isolates showed to be genetically distinct. The overall effect of water mint endophytes on Arabidopsis fresh (FW) and dry weight (DW) was neutral and positive, respectively, and the increased DW, mainly occurring 14 DAI, was possibly related to plant defence mechanism. Only three fungi increased both FW and DW of Arabidopsis at 14 and 21 DAI, thus behaving as plant growth promoting (PGP) fungi. E-treatment caused a reduction of root depth and primary root length in most cases and inhibition-to-promotion of root area and lateral root length, from 14 DAI. Only Phoma macrostoma, among the water mint PGP fungi, increased both root area and depth, 21 DAI. Root depth and area 14 DAI were shown to influence DWs, indicating that the extension of the root system, and thus nutrient uptake, was an important determinant of plant dry biomass. Reduction of Arabidopsis root depth occurred to a great extent when plants where treated with stem-E while root area decreased or increased under the effects of stem-E and root-E, respectively, pointing to an influence of the endophyte origin on root extension. M. aquatica and many other perennial hydrophytes have growing worldwide application in water pollution remediation. The present study provided a model for directed screening of endophytes able to modulate plant growth in the perspective of future field applications of these fungi.     

Grass species and their fungal symbionts affect subsequent forage growth

Persistence of forage grasses is enhanced through the deliberate and selective use of symbiotic fungal endophytes that confer benefits, particularly pest resistance. However, they have also been implicated in reduced plant community diversity as a result of directly or indirectly enhancing competitive ability. A relatively underexplored mechanism by which endophytes might influence pasture plant composition is by altering the biotic or abiotic soil conditions. To examine the soil conditioning effects of forage grass species and their fungal symbionts we tested the responses of three pasture plants, perennial ryegrass, prairie grass, and white clover in nine different soils that had been conditioned by monocultures of endophyte-containing (E+), or endophyte-free (E?), perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or meadow fescue. Conditioning grass species had little effect on the responses of perennial ryegrass and prairie grass regardless of E+ or E? treatments. In contrast, conditioning species had a strong effect on the response of white clover, resulting in reduced biomass when grown in perennial ryegrass conditioned soils. The presence of endophyte also had significant growth consequences for white clover, but was either positive or negative depending on the conditioning grass species. In comparison to their respective E? treatments, E+ tall and meadow fescue conditioned soils resulted in reduced biomass of white clover, whereas E+ perennial ryegrass conditioned soils resulted in increased biomass of white clover. Among the conditioning strains (AR1, AR37, NEA2, WE) of E+ perennial ryegrass, white clover showed significantly different responses, but all responses were positive in comparison to the E? treatment. By examining the effects of several grass species and endophyte strains, we were able to determine the relative importance of grass species vs. fungal symbiont on soil conditioning. Overall, the conditioning effect of grass species was stronger than the effects associated with endophyte, particularly with regard to the response of white clover. We conclude that both grass species and their fungal endophytes can influence pasture plant community composition through plant–soil feedback.     

Do the costs and benefits of fungal endophyte symbiosis vary with light availability?

? Here, we examined whether fungal endophytes modulated host plant responses to light availability. First, we conducted a literature review to evaluate whether natural frequencies of endophyte symbiosis in grasses from shaded habitats were higher than frequencies in grasses occupying more diverse light environments. Then, in a glasshouse experiment, we assessed how four levels of light and the presence of endophyte symbioses affected the growth of six grass species. ? In our literature survey, endophytes were more commonly present in grasses restricted to shaded habitats than in grasses from diverse light environments. ? In the glasshouse, endophyte symbioses did not mediate plant growth in response to light availability. However, in the host grass, Agrostis perennans, symbiotic plants produced 53% more inflorescences than nonsymbiotic plants at the highest level of shade. In addition, under high shade, symbiotic Poa autumnalis invested more in specific leaf area than symbiont-free plants. Finally, shade increased the density of the endophyte in leaf tissues across all six grass species. ? Our results highlight the potential for symbiosis to alter the plasticity of host physiological traits, demonstrate a novel benefit of endophyte symbiosis under shade stress for one host species, and show a positive association between shade-restricted grass species and fungal endophytes.     

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。     

The plant endosphere world – bacterial life within plants

The plant endosphere is colonized by complex microbial communities and microorganisms, which colonize the plant interior at least part of their lifetime and are termed endophytes. Their functions range from mutualism to pathogenicity. All plant organs and tissues are generally colonized by bacterial endophytes and their diversity and composition depend on the plant, the plant organ and its physiological conditions, the plant growth stage as well as on the environment. Plant-associated microorganisms, and in particular endophytes, have lately received high attention, because of the increasing awareness of the importance of host-associated microbiota for the functioning and performance of their host. Some endophyte functions are known from mostly lab assays, genome prediction and few metagenome analyses; however, we have limited understanding on in planta activities, particularly considering the diversity of micro-environments and the dynamics of conditions. In our review, we present recent findings on endosphere environments, their physiological conditions and endophyte colonization. Furthermore, we discuss microbial functions, the interaction between endophytes and plants as well as methodological limitations of endophyte research. We also provide an outlook on needs of future research to improve our understanding on the role of microbiota colonizing the endosphere on plant traits and ecosystem functioning.     

Metabolite analysis of the effects of elevated CO2 and nitrogen fertilization on the association between tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus) and its fungal symbiont Neotyphodium coenophialum

Atmospheric CO₂ is expected to increase to between 550 ppm and 1000 ppm in the next century. CO₂‐induced changes in plant physiology can have ecosystem‐wide implications and may alter plant‐plant, plant‐herbivore and plant‐symbiont interactions. We examined the effects of three concentrations of CO₂ (390, 800 and 1000 ppm) and two concentrations of nitrogen fertilizer (0.004 g N/week versus 0.2 g N/week) on the physiological response of Neotyphodium fungal endophyte‐infected and uninfected tall fescue plants. We used quantitative PCR to estimate the concentration of endophyte under altered CO₂ and N conditions. We found that elevated CO₂ increased the concentration of water‐soluble carbohydrates and decreased the concentration of plant total amino acids in plants. Fungal‐derived alkaloids decreased in response to elevated CO₂ and increased in response to nitrogen fertilization. Endophyte concentration (expressed as the number of copies of an endophyte‐specific gene per total genomic DNA) increased under elevated CO₂ and nitrogen fertilization. The correlation between endophyte concentration and alkaloid production observed at ambient conditions was not observed under elevated CO₂. These results suggest that nutrient exchange dynamics important for maintaining the symbiotic relationship between fungal endophytes and their grass hosts may be altered by changes in environmental variables such as CO₂ and nitrogen fertilization.     

Consequences of simultaneous interactions of fungal endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with a shared host grass

Plants simultaneously associate with multiple microbial symbionts throughout their lifetimes. To address the question of whether the effects of simultaneous symbionts are contingent on the specific identities, we conducted a greenhouse experiment manipulating the presence and identities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and fungal endophytes on the shared host grass Elymus hystrix. Each plant host was inoculated with one of two AMF species having varying effects on host growth, or a sterile soil control. Further, we used naturally occurring endophyte‐infected (E+) and uninfected (E–) individuals from two populations of the endophyte Epichloë elymi that varied in their interaction with E. hystrix. We then measured responses of plants, AMF, and fungal endophytes. Overall, we found that the combined effects of AMF and fungal endophytes on plant growth were additive, reflecting the mutualistic quality of each symbiont independently interacting with host plants. However, fungal endophyte infection differentially altered hyphal colonization of the two AMF species and the identity of the coinfecting AMF species affected fungal endophyte fitness traits. The results of this study demonstrate that the outcome of interspecific symbiotic interactions varies with partner identity such that the effects of simultaneous symbioses can not be generalized.     

Nitrogen use efficiency by a slow-growing species as affected by CO2 levels, root temperature, N source and availability

This study examines the importance of N source and concentration on plant response to distinct CO₂ concentrations and root temperatures. The experimental design of this work was a factorial combination of: CO₂ concentration, nitrogen concentration, nitrogen source and root temperature. Carob (Ceratonia siliqua L.) was assessed as a potential model of a slow growing Mediterranean species.

The results showed that: 1) biomass increment under high CO₂ varied between 13 and 100 percnt; in relation to plants grown under the same conditions but at ambient CO₂ concentrations, depending on the root temperature and nitrogen source; 2) nitrate-fed plants attained a larger increase in biomass production compared to ammonium-fed ones. This performance seems to be linked to the co-ordinated regulation of the activities of glutamine synthetase and sucrose phosphate synthase. The variations in the magnitude and nature of growth responses to elevated CO₂ observed resulted in substantial changes in the chemical composition of the plant material and consequently in plant nitrogen use efficiency.

Although performed with seedlings and under controlled conditions, this work emphasizes the importance of the nitrogen source used by the plants, a factor rarely taken into consideration when forecasting plant responses to global changes. Particularly, the results presented here, highlight the potential for uncoupling biomass accumulation from increment of air CO₂ concentration and show that more than nitrogen availability N source may offset positive plant growth responses under elevated CO₂ and root temperature.     

A meta-analysis of plant responses to dark septate root endophytes

? Dark septate endophytes (DSE) frequently colonize roots in the natural environment, but the effects of these fungi on plants are obscure, with previous studies indicating negative, neutral or positive effects on plant performance. ? In order to reach a consensus for how DSE influence plant performance, meta-analyses were performed on data from 18 research articles, in which plants had been inoculated with DSE in sterile substrates. ? Negative effects of DSE on plant performance were not recorded. Positive effects were identified on total, shoot and root biomass, and on shoot nitrogen (N) and phosphorus contents, with increases of 26-103% in these parameters for plants inoculated with DSE, relative to uninoculated controls. Inoculation increased total, shoot and root biomass by 52-138% when plants had not been supplied with additional inorganic N, or when all, or the majority, of N was supplied in organic form. Inoculation with the DSE Phialocephala fortinii was found to increase shoot and root biomass, shoot P concentration and shoot N content by 44-116%, relative to uninoculated controls. ? The analyses here suggest that DSE enhance plant performance under controlled conditions, particularly when all, or the majority, of N is available in organic form.     

Vertically transmitted fungal endophytes: different responses of host-parasite systems to environmental conditions

The relationship between vertically transmitted asexual fungal grass endophytes and their hosts is considered to be mutualistic. Results from agronomic field support this line of reasoning but recent studies have shown more variable results in natural systems. We investigated how high and low nutrient and water treatments affected biomass allocation patterns of endophyte‐infected and uninfected Festuca pratensis and F. rubra in greenhouse experiments over two growing seasons. Irrespective of infection status, both grass species showed improved performance on highly fertilized and watered soils. However, infected F. pratensis plants produced larger tillers than endophyte‐free plants on soil low in nutrients and water in the first growing season, although they (E+) otherwise showed decreased performance on nutrient‐poor soil. In low nutrient and water conditions, endophyte‐infected plants produced less tillers and had lower total biomass compared to uninfected plants, and displayed a negative phenotypic correlation between seed production and vegetative growth. The latter indicates costs of reproduction when the plant shares common resources with the fungal endophyte. However, endophyte infection status (E+, E?) interacted significantly with the soil fertilisation in terms of plant growth, having a stronger positive effect on growth in infected F. pratensis plants. In F. rubra, endophyte‐infected plants showed higher vegetative growth in fertilized and watered soils compared to uninfected plants. However, infected plants tended to produce fewer inflorescences. This had no effect on seed production, perhaps because seed production was partly replaced by asexual pseudovivipary. Contrary to the general assumption in the literature that fungal endophytes are plant mutualists, these findings suggest that the costs of endophytes may outweigh their benefits in resource limited conditions. However, the costs of endophyte infections appear to differ among the grass species studied; costs of endophytes were mainly detected in F. pratensis under low nutrient conditions. We propose that differences in response to endophyte infection in these species may depend on the differences in life‐history strategies and environmental requirements of these two fescue and fungal species and may change during the life span of the plant.     

Endophyte or parasite--what decides?

Symbiosis between a fungus and a plant is a widespread phenomenon in nature. The outcome of such an interaction can vary in a seamless manner from mutualism to parasitism. In most cases, the host plant does not suffer, in fact it often gains an advantage from colonization by a fungus. This benefit is based on a fine-tuned balance between the demands of the invader and the plant response. If the interaction becomes unbalanced, disease symptoms appear or the fungus is excluded by induced host defence reactions. Symbioses of plants with beneficial or neutral endophytes share many common attributes with plant interactions with pathogens. Recent findings emerging from studies of compatible host-fungus interactions have enhanced our understanding of what determines whether the fungus behaves as an endophyte or a parasite and of how plants avoid exploitation by detrimental parasites but benefit from mutualistic endophytes.     

Climate and dispersal influence the structure of leaf fungal endophyte communities of Quercus gambelii in the eastern Great Basin,USA

Endophytic fungi form communities within living plant tissues. Their functions vary tremendously so the structures of their communities influence plant and ecosystem functions. We determined the separate effects of neutral and deterministic processes structuring communities of Quercus gambelii leaf endophytes by sampling north- and south-facing flanks of four canyons so local climate varied independently from spatial separation. We found that both deterministic (response to climate) and neutral (dispersal limitation) processes significantly influenced community structure. These findings, if applicable to other systems, may have consequences in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Endophyte dispersal could limit agricultural production, ecosystem restoration or natural plant establishment. Thus deliberate inoculation may prove useful in some situations. Moreover, the influence of climate on fungal endophyte communities indicates that climate change may not only impact plant distributions directly, but may also do so indirectly via the effect of endophytes on plant tolerance to temperature and moisture extremes.