外源Glu和GABA对梭梭种子萌发及呼吸速率的影响

通过不同浓度外源谷氨酸(Glu)和γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)以及不同比例Glu/GABA处理梭梭种子,研究它们对梭梭种子萌发率、胚根长度和呼吸速率的影响.结果显示:(1)不同浓度的外源Glu均能显著提高梭梭种子的萌发率,促进胚根的伸长并增强其呼吸速率;(2)外源GABA在低浓度(0.1~5mmol·L-1)时能降低种子萌发率,促进胚根伸长,而高浓度(10mmol·L-1)的效应则相反;不同浓度GABA均抑制种子呼吸速率,且低浓度时抑制效果更明显;(3)不同比例Glu/GABA均能降低种子萌发率,抑制胚根伸长,增强呼吸速率.研究发现,梭梭种子的萌发和呼吸受到外源谷氨酸的促进,却受到外源γ-氨基丁酸的抑制.     

芸苔素对陈化水稻种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响

以杂交早稻品种株两优819的陈化种子为试材,探讨芸苔素对水稻种子萌发和幼苗生长的影响。结果表明,芸苔素内酯处理对恢复陈化种子活力有一定的效果,芸苔素内酯浸种与催芽处理均能显著提高陈化水稻种子的发芽势和发芽率,缩短萌发所需时间;芸苔素内酯浸种能显著促进胚芽发生和胚根伸长,促进齐苗;芸苔素内酯催芽处理对胚根伸长也有促进作用,但对胚芽生长有一定的抑制作用。     

沙冬青种子萌发及幼苗生长特性

沙冬青(Ammopiptanthus mongolicus)是亚洲中部荒漠特有种,由于其分布的环境条件特殊,现存植被天然更新困难,人工育苗、造林存在一定问题。为改善种皮透水性,获得整齐一致的发芽,分别用21.5 (室温)、40、60、80和90 ℃的温水浸种5 min。结果表明: 60 ℃温水浸种效果最好,与对照相比,显著地提高了种子发芽势,并有效地降低硬实率。对比分析了15、20、25、30、35和40 ℃环境温度下种子萌发的特性,种子发芽最适温度是30 ℃,而胚根及下胚轴伸长最快的温度为25~30 ℃。较低温度下种子发芽延续时间较长,并且种子萌发后下胚轴和胚根伸长缓慢,易形成畸形(胚根严重扭曲、缢裂)幼苗。15 ℃时畸形幼苗占发芽种子数的28.1%,而30~40 ℃时仅占5.2%~8.6%。温度过高不利于种子萌发及幼苗生长,40 ℃时,吸胀种子绝大部分丧失活力,发芽种子在35 ℃以上温度下生长2~3 d,胚根胚轴组织呈水渍状坏死。另外,催芽后的种子播种在河沙中子叶出土最快,出土率可达63%,显著高于在粘质壤土中出土率(11%)。不同粒径的种子播种后幼苗生长特性表现出一定的差异,粒径5 mm以下小粒种子播种后幼苗长势弱,苗期成活率低,生长70 d后幼苗成活率仅为35.4%,而粒径5 mm以上种子同期幼苗成活率达56.2%。据上述试验结果,结合自然分布区内环境条件的资料,分析了沙冬青濒危原因,并为植被恢复育苗措施提出建议。     

干旱胁迫与不同储藏时间对杠柳种子萌发的影响

为了阐明干旱胁迫与不同储藏时间对杠柳种子萌发的影响机理,在室内采用不同浓度的聚乙二醇（PEG）模拟干旱胁迫条件,对3种不同储藏时间的杠柳种子进行了萌发期对比试验,观测了种子的总萌发率、发芽势、活力指数和胚根的生长情况,分析了抗旱特性,结果表明：不同程度的干旱胁迫与储藏时间对杠柳种子萌发均有一定的影响,当PEG-6000浓度为5%,对储藏1年杠柳种子的萌芽率和发芽势起促进作用,对储藏2年种子萌芽率轻度抑制,对储藏3年种子抑制影响较大,当PEG-6000浓度>5%,3种种子的萌芽率和发芽势均呈下降趋势,但当胁迫浓度增大到25%时,种子基本没有萌发。在不同的水分胁迫处理中,3种种子的活力指数和胚根生长速度一直呈下降趋势,尤其3年种子的下降幅度最大。不同储藏时间杠柳种子对干旱胁迫的适应性有差异,储藏1~2年的杠柳种子在PEG-6000浓度为5%~15%中萌发效果较好,且储藏1年种子好于2年种子,3年种子较差。3种种子的耐旱能力由强到弱依次为：1年种子>2年种子>3年种子。     

Ce^3+和La^3+对人工老化沙葱种子活力及生理特性的影响

以未老化和人工老化后的沙葱(Allium mongolicum Regel.)种子为材料,采用氯化铈(Ce3+)和氯化镧(La3+)浸种,测定种子萌发和生理指标,探讨Ce3+和La3+浸种对种子萌发、老化种子活力和生理特性的影响。结果显示:(1)在老化0~5 h时,Ce3+和La3+处理可显著促进沙葱种子萌发,提高种子活力;在老化5 h后,Ce3+和La3+处理对种子萌发无明显促进作用。(2)在老化0~15 h时,Ce3+和La3+处理的沙葱种子中抗氧化酶活性和抗坏血酸(AsA)含量提高,其超氧阴离子自由基(O2-·)产生速率、过氧化氢(H2O2)含量和丙二醛(MDA)含量显著降低;在老化15 h后,Ce3+和La3+处理的种子抗氧化酶活性提高、AsA含量降低,O2-·产生速率和MDA含量提高。(3)在老化5 h时,沙葱种子呼吸速率发生跃变达到最大,Ce3+和La3+处理显著降低了种子呼吸速率。(4)Ce3+和La3+处理在老化0~5 h时提高了沙葱种子超弱发光(UWL)强度,但在老化5 h后沙葱种子的UWL强度降低。研究认为,在沙葱种子人工老化初期,Ce3+和La3+浸种处理可以诱导增强种子抗氧化酶活性和提高AsA含量,有效清除因老化产生积累的过量活性氧(ROS),减轻过氧化伤害,提高种子活力;种子老化中后期,其内部ROS产生与清除系统发生紊乱,加剧了ROS对种子结构的损伤,Ce3+和La3+浸种处理的缓解效应丧失。     

不同环境因子及破壳处理对锥栗种子萌发特性的影响

锥栗(Castanea henryi)是我国南方重要的木本粮食树种和特色果树资源,具有很高的食用及药用价值。为探明最适宜锥栗种子萌发的条件,该研究以当年采收的锥栗种子为材料,探讨了温度、光照、基质、基质含水量以及破壳处理等对锥栗种子萌发的影响,为锥栗种苗繁育提供理论基础。结果表明:(1)锥栗种子萌发的最适温度是25℃,其最终萌发率为92.67%,在其他温度条件下,锥栗种子的萌发率有所下降,但与25℃条件下的萌发率无显著差异。(2)黑暗条件可缩短锥栗种子发芽时间,明显提高种子的萌发率和发芽势,但黑暗条件下的种子胚根长度显著小于周期性光照条件下的胚根长度。(3)锥栗种子在泥炭土中的萌发率和发芽势均高于在河沙中的萌发率和发芽势,且泥炭土中种子胚根长度显著长于河沙中的种子胚根长度。(4)基质含水量对锥栗种子萌发率和发芽势无显著性影响。(5)种皮的机械阻碍是限制锥栗种子萌发的因素之一,破壳处理后,锥栗种子的发芽势和胚根长度与未破壳相比差异显著,实际生产中剪破种壳能加快种子的萌发进程。     

干旱和盐胁迫对华山新麦草种子萌发及幼苗生理特性的影响

模拟华山新麦草野生土壤生境特点,分别采用聚乙二醇(PEG-6000)、钙(CaCl2)以及二者混合液3种方式浸种,研究PEG-6000和Ca2+浸种对华山新麦草种子萌发及幼苗生长的影响.结果表明:3种处理下华山新麦草的种子发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数均无显著变化;但PEG-6000浸种后,华山新麦草幼苗可溶性糖和可溶性蛋白含量增加,蛋白酶、SOD和POD活性增强;CaCl2浸种后,华山新麦草幼苗可溶性糖含量增加,蛋白酶、SOD和CAT活性增强,淀粉酶活性降低;而PEG-6000和CaCl2混合液浸种后,华山新麦草幼苗可溶性糖含量下降,SOD活性降低,华山新麦草生长受阻.据此推测华山干旱和钙离子含量高的生境特点可能是华山新麦草种群濒危的原因之一.     

温度、光照和盐分对外来植物黄顶菊种子萌发的影响

对黄顶菊(Flaveria bidentis)种子的表面形态进行了扫描电镜观察,并从温度、光照、NaCl胁迫及浸种等方面对黄顶菊种子萌发特性进行了探讨.结果表明:黄顶菊种子喜高温,35℃下种子萌发迅速,且发芽率、发芽指数及活力指数最高;光照对种子发芽率影响不大,但随光照时间延长,种子发芽高峰推迟且峰值下降,发芽指数和活力指数逐渐下降;随NaCI浓度升高,种子发芽高峰推迟日.峰值变小,发芽率也呈下降趋势,但低NaCl浓度(0.01 mol/L和0.05 moi/L)胁迫下种子发芽率仍保持在90%以上,且促进了种子发芽指数及活力指数提高及胚根的伸长,结合天津地区黄顶菊生境中土壤的含盐量的分析表明,黄顶菊具有相当强的耐盐性;浸种对种子发芽率和发芽指数影响也很大.因此,黄顶菊成为潜在入侵种与其种子极高的萌发率及耐受高温和盐碱等特性密切相关.     

鸡眼草水浸提液对4种草坪草的化感作用

为探讨鸡眼草(Kummerowia striata)不同部位、不同浓度水浸提液对高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)、黑麦草(Lolium perenne)、狗牙根(Cynodon dactylon)、白三叶(Trifolium repens)等4种草坪草的化感效应和作用规律,采用培养皿纸床法,以蒸馏水为对照,研究鸡眼草剪碎的植株、未剪碎的植株、叶、茎、根、地上部分0.012 5、0.025、0.05 g/mL 3个不同浓度的水浸提液对高羊茅、黑麦草、狗牙根、白三叶的种子发芽率、发芽速率、幼根长、幼苗高的化感作用。结果表明,鸡眼草水浸提液对高羊茅、黑麦草、狗牙根、白三叶4种受体植物种子的萌发及幼苗生长均有较强的化感抑制作用,且对种子发芽率作用强弱顺序为:狗牙根白三叶黑麦草高羊茅,对种子发芽速率作用强弱顺序为:黑麦草高羊茅狗牙根白三叶,对幼苗苗高作用强弱顺序为:黑麦草白三叶狗牙根高羊茅,对幼苗根长作用强弱顺序为:白三叶黑麦草狗牙根高羊茅。对4种受体植物的综合化感效应以高羊茅最弱,黑麦草、狗牙根、白三叶较为相近。4种受体植物所受到的抑制作用均随着水浸提液浓度的增加而增强,在同一浓度不同部位水浸提液处理下,叶、整株(剪碎)水浸提液对4种受体植物抑制作用比根、茎、整株(未剪碎)及地上部分水浸提液强。高羊茅、黑麦草、狗牙根3种草坪草受0.05 g/mL鸡眼草叶水浸提液的化感抑制作用最强,白三叶则受0.05 g/mL鸡眼草整株(剪碎)水浸提液的化感抑制作用最强。     

γ-氨基丁酸浸种对番茄种子及幼苗耐盐性调节的生理机制

以番茄‘金棚一号’为材料,研究了外源γ-氨基丁酸(GABA)浸种处理对NaCl胁迫下种子萌发及幼苗生长和生理代谢的影响。结果显示:(1)NaCl胁迫显著抑制了番茄种子的萌发和胚根生长,同时导致番茄幼苗体内活性氧(O2.-、H2O2)大量积累,膜脂过氧化程度加重,幼苗叶片光合系统Ⅱ活性显著降低,幼苗的生长受到严重抑制。(2)外源GABA浸种能够显著提高盐胁迫下番茄种子的萌发和胚根的生长,并以10.00mmol.L-1 GABA浸种处理效果最好。(3)外源GABA浸种处理显著提高了NaCl胁迫下番茄幼苗根系和叶片抗氧化酶(SOD、POD和CAT)活性,降低了活性氧(O2.-、H2O2)的产生和膜脂过氧化程度,通过维持较高的光合系统Ⅱ活性,促进了幼苗的生长及生物量积累,但GABA的缓解效应存在较大的浓度差异,其中以10.00mmol.L-1 GABA处理效果较好。研究表明,10.00mmol.L-1 GABA浸种处理能够通过促进番茄种子萌发和幼苗生长来缓解盐胁迫的伤害。     

三种草坪草的种带与土传真菌及杀菌剂拌种的防效

以多年生黑麦草(Lolium perenne)、高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea)和草地早熟禾(Poa pratensis)等3种9个草坪草品种为材料,在实验室、温室和田间开展了系列研究.实验室结果表明高羊茅Barlexas品种和草地早熟禾的3个品种,在滤纸苗床发芽率显著高于同样条件下田间土床上的发芽率(P＜0.05).对种带和土传真菌的分离表明,自种子上仅分离获得4种常见种带真菌,而经在田间土壤培养后,分离获得14种真菌,包括早熟禾德氏霉(Drechslera poae)、立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani)和数种镰刀菌(Fusarium spp.)等.以福美双、甲基硫菌灵和三唑酮对参试品种单独拌种进行温室盆栽试验,播后13～16d,福美双显著提高了多年生黑麦草品种Premier和草地早熟禾品种Platini的出苗率,增幅最高分别为80.6%和45.2%.与对照比,三唑酮拌种显著提高了高羊茅3个品种的出苗率,增幅最高的是Barlexas品种,可达166.7%.福美双、甲基硫菌灵或三唑酮均可提高多年生黑麦草Taya每盆根和茎干重,与对照比,每盆茎干重分别增加47.2%、29.5%和34.7%,福美双和甲基硫菌灵使其根干重分别增加67.7%和97.1%.福美双和三唑酮显著提高了多年生黑麦草Gator Ⅱ每盆茎干重,增幅分别为32.1%和29.6%.甲基硫菌灵拌种使草地早熟禾Platini品种的根与茎干重分别增加230%和100%,参试品种每株幼苗根与茎干重对杀菌剂拌种的反应与每盆重量相似.田间试验结果表明杀菌剂拌种不同程度地提高了草坪草出苗率和田间生物量.经相关与回归分析,参试草坪草在田间与温室盆栽条件下的生物量存在显著的正相关,二者根和茎的相关系数分别为0.81和0.82,回归方程式分别为Y1=13.178+3.5911X1和Y2=0.11803+3.6845X2表示.     

Effects of fungal endophytes on the seed and seedling biology of Lolium perenne and Festuca arundinacea

Summary Many grasses are infected by endophytic fungi that grow intercellularly in leaves, stems, and flowers and are transmitted maternally by hyphal growth into ovules and seeds. The seed biology and seedling growth of endophyte-infected and uninfected perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) were investigated under controlled environmental conditions. The percentage of filled seeds produced by infected tall fescue was over twice of uninfected tall fescue; infected and uninfected perennial reegrass had similar percentages. Weights of seeds from infected and uninfected plants were similar in both species. Seeds from infected plants of both species exhibited a higher rate of germination than seeds from uninfected plants. Shoot growth in the greenhouse was compared by making three sequential harvests of above-ground plant parts from infected and uninfected plants of both species. Infected perennial ryegrass plants produced significantly more biomass and tillers than uninfected plants after 6 and 10 weeks of growth and significantly more biomass after 14 weeks of growth. Infected tall fescue plants produced significantly more biomass and tillers than uninfected plants after 10 and 14 weeks of growth. The physiological mechanism of enhancement of growth is not known. The results of this study suggest that infected plants may have a selective advantage in populations with uninfected members.     

Changes in Dry Matter, Carbohydrate and Seed Yield Resulting from Lodging in Three Temperate Grass Species

The adverse effect of lodging on grass seed yield may be attributed,in part, to assimilate limitation during the seed filling period.This investigation examined plant dry matter assimilate partitioningand seed yield as affected by lodging in three species thatare closely related but phenotypically different: tall fescue(Festuca arundinacea Schreber.), Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorumLam.), and perennial ryegrass (L. perenne L.). Studies wereperformed in field plots at Corvallis, Oregon, USA. Seed yieldcomponents (seed number per inflorescence, seed yield per inflorescence,and single seed mass) and leaf, stem (lower, middle, and peduncle)and seed inflorescence dry mass were measured just prior toanthesis to seed maturity. Dry mass and water soluble carbohydrates(WSC) were determined for shoot components. The reduction indry mass and WSC in leaves and stem components following anthesiswas often greater in lodged plants compared to upright plants.The relatively low seed yield depression in lodged tall fescuesuggested a higher compensation potential for partitioning reserveassimilate from leaves and stems to support seed growth anddevelopment. This potential does not appear to be present tothe same degree in Italian ryegrass and to an even lesser extentin perennial ryegrass. These findings suggest that the potentialto compensate for reduced assimilate supply during the periodof high assimilate demand by seeds may be attributed, in part,to the total assimilate reserve accumulated prior to photoassimilatereduction caused by the lodged condition. Copyright 2000 Annalsof Botany Company Tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreber., Italian ryegrass, Lolium multiflorum Lam., perennial ryegrass, L. perenne L., assimilate partitioning, source–sink     

Tilletia vankyi, a new species of reticulate-spored bunt fungus with non-conjugating basidiospores infecting species of Festuca and Lolium

A bunt fungus, exhibiting a spore germination pattern unique to known reticulate-spored species of Tilletia was found infecting plants in seed production fields of Festuca rubra ssp. rubra (red fescue) and F. rubra ssp. fallax (Chewing's fescue) in Oregon, and in seed lots of Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) from Australia and Germany. Teliospores germinated to form 20–40 uninucleate, non-conjugating basidiospores, and colonies derived from single basidiospores produced teliospores in culture. In inoculation studies using single basidiospore colonies, perennial ryegrass and L. perenne ssp. multiflorum (Italian or annual ryegrass) were infected. A phylogenetic analysis, based on ITS region rDNA, eukaryotic translation elongation factor 1 alpha, and the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II demonstrated that the fescue and ryegrass bunts are conspecific, and distinct from known species of Tilletia.     

After-Ripening in Festuca idahoensis Seeds: Adaptive Dormancy and Implications for Restoration

Festuca idahoensis (Idaho fescue) was a common native perennial bunchgrass in the sagebrush steppe of the western United States until the introductions of domestic livestock and alien plants. Restoration of Idaho fescue to degraded sites will likely involve reseeding, and one of the factors affecting reseeding success is germinability of the seeds employed. We investigated effects of after-ripening and storage temperature on germinability of Idaho fescue seeds collected from a central Oregon site. Six months of after-ripening were required before maximum germination was obtained. Storage of dry seeds at either room temperature (20°C) or at cooler, alternating temperatures (5/15°C) did not alter the rate at which dormancy was lost. Storage at the warmer temperature promoted rapid germination in seeds that had broken dormancy. Seed longevity varied greatly from year to year. Seeds produced in a very dry year had poorer germination and shorter longevity than seeds produced during a year with near normal precipitation. Because seed dispersal occurs in late July and early August for Idaho fescue in central Oregon, a six-month after-ripening requirement ensures that the greatest potential germination coincides with the spring period most likely to provide sufficient moisture for seedling establishment.     

Grass species and endophyte effects on survival and development of fall armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

Grass selections including 10 zoysiagrasses, 18 paspalums, 34 Bermuda grasses, tall fescue, creeping red fescue, and perennial ryegrasses with and without endophyte were evaluated for potential resistance to fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), larvae. Laboratory evaluations assessed the degree of antibiosis among >70 grass lines to first-instar fall armvworms. When all parameters measured were considered, the trend in resistance to fall armyworm among endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E-) cool season grasses from greatest to least was: 'Dawson' E+ > APR 1234 > 'Dawson' E- > 'Rosalin' E+ > Lp 5425, 'Rosalin' E-, ATF 480 > 'Tulsa' or: E+ slender creeping red fescue > E+ turf- type perennial ryegrass > E- slender creeping red fescue > E+ forage-type perennial ryegrass > E- forage-type perennial ryegrasses, and E+ tall fescue > E- turf-type tall fescue. Among warm season grasses larval weight gain was reduced on all zoysiagrasses. Larval weight gain also was lower on the Bermuda grasses 'Tifsport', 'Tifgreen', 97-4, 97-14, 97-22, 97-28, 97-39, 97-40,97-54, 98-15, 98-30, and 98-45 than when larvae were fed 'Tulsa' tall fescue or the diet control. Only APR1234 and 'Dawson' creeping red fescue reduced larval survival to the same extent that was observed for zoysiagrasses. Survival on Bermuda grasses was least on 97-8. Seashore paspalums were only rarely less susceptible to fall armyworm than tall fescue, although pupal weights were consistently lower on 'Temple 1' and 'Sea Isle 1' paspalums than that on 'Tulsa' tall fescue. Genetic resistance to key grass pests can reduce insecticide use and simplify management of these cultivars.     

温水浸种对蒙古黄芪种子萌发特性的影响

研究温水浸种破除蒙古黄芪（Astragalus membranaceus Bge.var.mongholicus（Bge.） Hsiao）种子休眠的适宜条件,采用恒温和变温2种浸种方式,测定蒙古黄芪种子在不同时间、不同温度梯度条件下的发芽率、发芽势和发芽指数。结果表明,温水浸种破除蒙古黄芪种子休眠的效果显著,变温浸种效果略优于恒温浸种。不同温度破除休眠效果排序依次为60℃> 70℃> 80℃,其中60℃变温浸种2 min和5 min的发芽率分别为对照的2.87倍和2.31倍。浸种时间、浸种温度均可显著影响蒙古黄芪种子萌发,与对照相比,随着浸种时间增加,发芽率总体呈现出先急速升高后逐渐降低的趋势;发芽指数与浸种温度极显著正相关;浸种温度与发芽势和发芽指数均显著正相关。本研究结果表明温水浸种可以提高种子发芽率,保持种子活力。     

Low allelopathic potential of an invasive forage grass on native grassland plants: a cause for encouragement?

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a highly competitive European grass that invades US grasslands, is reportedly allelopathic to many agronomic plants, but its ability to inhibit the germination or growth of native grassland plants is unknown. In three factorial glasshouse experiments, we tested the potential allelopathic effects of endophyte-infected (E+) and uninfected (E−) tall fescue on native grasses and forbs from Midwestern tallgrass prairies. Relative to a water control, at least one extract made from ground seed, or ground whole plant tissue of E+ or E− tall fescue reduced the germination of 10 of 11 species in petri dishes. In addition, the emergence of two native grasses in potting soil was lower when sown with E+ and E− tall fescue seedlings than when sown with seeds of conspecifics or tall fescue. However, when seeds of 13 prairie species were sown in sterilized, field-collected soil and given water or one of the four tall fescue extracts daily, seedling emergence was lower in one extract relative to water for only one species, and subsequent height growth did not differ among treatments for any species. We conclude that if tall fescue is allelopathic, its inhibitory effects on the germination and seedling growth of native prairie plants are limited, irrespective of endophyte infection. On the other hand, the apparent inability of these plants to detect tall fescue in field soil could hinder prairie restoration efforts if germination near this strong competitor confers fitness consequences. We propose that lack of chemical recognition may be common among resident and recently introduced non-indigenous plants because of temporally limited ecological interactions, and offer a view that challenges the existing allelopathy paradigm. Lastly, we suggest that tall fescue removal will have immediate benefits to the establishment of native grassland plants.     

Influence of temperature on alkaloid levels and fall armyworm performance in endophytic tall fescue and perennial ryegrass

The symbiotic relationships between Neotyphodium endophytes (Clavicipitacea) and certain cool‐season (C3) grasses result in the synthesis of several alkaloids that defend the plant against herbivory. Over a 3 month period we evaluated the effects of temperature on the expression of these alkaloids in tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb, and perennial ryegrass, Lolium perenne L. (Poaceae). Response surface regression analysis indicated that month, temperature, and their interaction had an impact on the alkaloid levels in both grasses. We aimed to identify the alkaloids most closely associated with enhanced resistance to the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda JE Smith (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), and clarify the role of temperature in governing the expression of these alkaloids. The dry weights and survival of fall armyworms feeding on endophyte‐infected tall fescue or perennial ryegrass were significantly lower than for those feeding on uninfected grass, whereas endophyte infection had no significant influence on survival. For tall fescue, a four‐alkaloid model consisting of a plant alkaloid, perloline, and the fungal alkaloids ergonovine chanoclavine, and ergocryptine, explained 47% of the variation in fall armyworm dry weight, whereas a three‐alkaloid model consisting of the plant alkaloid perloline methyl ether and the fungal alkaloids ergonovine and ergocryptine explained 70% of the variation in fall armyworm dry weight on perennial ryegrass. Although temperature had a significant influence on overall alkaloid expression in both grasses, the influence of temperature on individual alkaloids varied over time. The levels of those alkaloids most closely linked to armyworm performance increased linearly or curvilinearly with increasing temperature during the last 2 months of the study. We conclude that the growth temperature of grasses can influence the performance of fall armyworm, and that this effect may be mediated through a set of plant‐ and endophyte‐related alkaloids.     

Regulation of leaf growth of grass by blue light

Changes in light quality occur naturally within a canopy when a plant grows from unshaded to shaded conditions, and the reverse occurs after a cut that reduces shading. These changes in light quality could be responsible for the variation in leaf elongation and appearance rates of grasses. The role of blue light in leaf growth was investigated in tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). Leaf length was measured daily following a decrease or an increase in blue light to evaluate effects on duration of leaf growth, leaf elongation and the rate of leaf appearance rate. A reduction in blue light increased sheath length by 8 to 14% and lamina length by 6 to 12% for both species. These increases could be reversed by enrichment of blue light. With low blue light treatment, final leaf length was increased due to a greater leaf elongation rate. In tall fescue, but not in perennial ryegrass, this effect was coupled with a greater phyllochron and a longer duration of leaf elongation. Development of successive leaves on a tall fescue tiller were co-ordinated. A decrease in blue light increased the duration of elongation in the oldest growing leaf and also delayed the appearance of a new leaf, maintaining this co-ordination. We conclude that final leaf size and phyllochron for tall fescue can be significantly modified by blue light. Perennial ryegrass appeared less responsive, except for displaying longer sheaths and laminae in low blue light, as also occurred for tall fescue. We hypothesize that leaf length could be regulated by the quality of the light reaching the growing region itself.