Can the defensive mutualism between grasses and fungal endophytes protect non-symbiotic neighbours from soil pathogens?

Background and aims It is proposed that Epichloë endophytes have a role protecting host grasses against pathogens. However, it is unclear whether this protection is extended to other non-symbiotic plants. Here we explored the effect of the asexual fungal symbiont, Epichloë occultans, on the interact...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Plant and soil 2016-08, Vol.405 (1/2), p.289-298
Main Authors: Pérez, L. I., Gundel, P. E., Omacini, M.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agricultural soils
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Bromus
Clay soils
Ecology
Endophytes
Endosymbionts
Fungi
Fusarium
Grasses
Grassland soils
Health aspects
Host plants
Life Sciences
Lolium multiflorum
Mutualism
Pathogens
Plant Physiology
Plant Sciences
Regular Article
Rhizoctonia solani
Seed germination
Seedlings
Seeds
Soil microbiology
Soil Science & Conservation
Soils
Symbiosis
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Summary:Background and aims It is proposed that Epichloë endophytes have a role protecting host grasses against pathogens. However, it is unclear whether this protection is extended to other non-symbiotic plants. Here we explored the effect of the asexual fungal symbiont, Epichloë occultans, on the interaction between Lolium multiflorum host plants and soil pathogens, and its potential positive side-effect on neighbouring plants. Methods We conducted two microcosm experiments to assess the endophyte effect on seedling establishment of the host grass and other non-symbiotic grasses in the presence of soil pathogens. With an in-vitro experiment, we tested whether the endophyte inhibits, during seed germination, the growth of these pathogens. Results Independently of pathogen identity, the endophyte improved host establishment (6 %). The endophyte also enhanced the establishment of the neighbouring grass Bromas catharticus (≈20 %) only in soil with Rhizoctqnia solani. The endophyte in seed reduced the growth (≈20 %) of two out of four pathogens (Fusarium acuminatum and R. solani). Conclusions We conclude that asexual endophytes could protect host grasses against pathogens but most importantly, that they can have protective effects beyond their hosts. Since effects depended on pathogen and plant identity, more experiments are needed in order understand the ecological meaning of these positive side-effects.
ISSN:0032-079X
1573-5036
DOI:10.1007/s11104-015-2568-4