Growth and Water Status in Meadow Fescue is Affected by Neotyphodium and Phialophora Species Endophytes
Academic Article
Overview
Research
Identity
Additional Document Info
Other
View All
Overview
abstract
AbstractGrowth and water status in meadow fescue (Festuca elatior L.; syn. F. pratensis Huds.) is affected by Neotyphodium and Phialophora endophytes. Meadow rescue is often infected with Neotyphodium uncinatum (Gams, Petrini & Schmidt) Glenn, Bacon, Price & Hanlin or cosymbiotically with this and a Phialophoralike endophyte. In a growth chamber experiment, we determined the influence of these endophytes on selected growth attributes and plant water status of one genotype of meadow fescue. Single plants of clone M1 free of endophytes (E) or infected with N. uncinatum (N), Phialophora like endophyte (P), or both endophytes (NP) were adequately irrigated (control plants) or subjected to a gradually established soil water deficit for 26 d (stressed plants). Afterwards, stressed plants were rewatered and allowed to regrow for 4 wk. Cumulative herbage dry matter (DM) yield was greater in P plants by 7.5% compared with N plants, generally. Control P plants produced more root DM thanE andN Pp lants. RootD Min N plants wass ignificantly greater during recovery from drought, compared with P and NP plants (36%). Tiller number of NP plants was the lowest among endophyte treatments in the predrought period. In response to waters tress, P plants produce more tillers than E plants (24%), but average tiller weight of P plants was lower than in E plants (14%). During imposed waters tress, stomatal conductanc(ge) and leaf water potential (L) decreasedin all plantendophyate associations to a similar extent. At severe soil water deficit, however N plants had significantly lower (g3) and L than the other plantendophyte associations. Control plants benefited from the symbiosis with endophytes by increasing root growth( both endophytes) and shoot growth( Phialophoralike endophyte). Plants infected with N. uncinatum were potentially able to adjust to soil water depletion earlier, suggesting a greater potential for adaptation to drough.
