Epichloë-endophytes increase constitutive and herbivore-induced silicon defences in grasses but do not directly increase grass resistance to a chewing insect herbivore

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ximena Cibils-Stewart ◽  
Wade J Mace ◽  
Alison J Popay ◽  
Susan E Hartley ◽  
Fernando A Lattanzi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Maximum Effect ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Chemical Defences ◽  
Physical Defence ◽  
Si Supply

<p>Grasses accumulate large concentrations of silicon (Si) which alleviates a range of stresses including defence against herbivores. Likewise, grasses symbiotically associate with foliar <em>Epichloë-</em>fungal endophytes which provide herbivore defence, mainly via the production of alkaloids. Some <em>Epichloë</em>-endophytes increase foliar Si concentrations, particularly in tall fescue <em>(Festuca arundinacea</em>) but also in perennial ryegrass (<em>Lolium perenne</em>); it is unknown whether this impacts herbivores. Likewise, while Si is primarily a physical defence against herbivores, it can also affect defensive secondary metabolites; Si supply might therefore also affect alkaloids produced by <em>Epichloë</em>-endophytes, however, this remains untested. We grew tall fescue and perennial ryegrass in a factorial combination with or without Si supplementation, in the absence or presence of a chewing herbivore; <em>Helicoverpa armigera</em>. Grasses were associated with four different<em> Epichloë</em>-endophyte strains (tall fescue: AR584; perennial ryegrass: AR37, AR1, or wild type) or as <em>Epichloë</em>-free controls. Specifically, we assessed how Si supply and <em>Epichloë</em>-endophyte presence impacts plant growth and chemistry, and how their interaction with herbivory affects foliar Si concentrations and alkaloid production. Subsequently, their effects on <em>H. armigera</em> relative growth rates (RGR) were evaluated. In Fescue, the AR584-endophyte increased constitutive (herbivore-free) and induced (herbivore-inoculated) silicon concentrations when Si was supplied. In perennial ryegrass, AR37-endophyte increased constitutive and induced silicon concentration, meanwhile, AR1-endophyte increased constitutive levels only. Si supply and herbivory did not affect alkaloids produced by AR584- or AR1/Wt-endophyte in tall fescue and perennial ryegrass, respectively. However, Si suppressed herbivore-induced production of alkaloids in the AR37-endophyte perennial ryegrass association. Si was a more effective defence in tall fescue than perennial ryegrass, significantly reducing H. armigera RGR. Our results suggest that Si reduced herbivore performance to such an extent in tall fescue that it was operating at maximum effect and endophyte-mediated increases in Si concentration made no further difference. Si had a more modest impact on herbivores in perennial ryegrass, potentially linked to silicon decreasing herbivore feeding and thus, suppressing herbivore-induced alkaloids. We provide novel evidence that increased Si concentrations in some cases interact with endophyte-produced chemical defences, which could ultimately impact plant resistance to herbivores. <strong>  </strong></p>

COMPARISON OF SEEDLING GROWTH OF ROUGH FESCUE AND TALL FESCUE

1969 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-470
Author(s):  
D. B. Wilson ◽  
A. Johnston
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Growth Analysis ◽  
Dry Weight ◽  
Native Grass ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Net Assimilation ◽  
Rough Fescue

Seedlings of a native grass, rough fescue, Festuca scabrella Torr., and of a tame grass, tall fescue, Festuca arundinacea Schreb., were grown in the greenhouse for 10 weeks. Each week 20 plants of each species were destructively harvested for growth analysis. Leaf and tiller numbers and leaf lengths were recorded for an additional 10 plants of each species. Mean net assimilation rates of rough fescue were similar to those of tall fescue, but leaf area ratios were significantly lower. Thus, mean relative growth rates of rough fescue were less than those of tall fescue. Tiller numbers were similar for both species but rough fescue produced fewer leaves. Dry weight of tops of the tame grass produced during the 10-week period was about 17 times that produced by the native grass.

Growth of seedlings of prairie grass and tall fescue in small swards of kikuyu at different temperatures

1985 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 213 ◽  
Author(s):  
MJ Hill ◽  
CJ Pearson ◽  
LC Campbell
Keyword(s):  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Perennial Grasses ◽  
Relative Growth ◽  
Relative Growth Rates ◽  
Temperature Regimes ◽  
Prairie Grass ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Grass Sward

Seeds of prairie grass (Bromus catharticus Vahl) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) were planted in established small swards of kikuyu (Pennisetum clandestinum Hochst ex Chiov.). Growth of the temperate seedlings and the subtropical grass sward was measured over a period of 59 days under four temperature regimes from 14/6 to 23/20�C (12/12 h). The capacity of the seedlings of the oversown temperate perennial grasses to establish in the sward of the subtropical kikuyu depended on temperature. At low temperature (mean daily temperature < 1l�C) the seedlings grew faster than the kikuyu and became successfully established. At moderate temperatures (11-19�C) the relative growth rates of seedlings were comparable with the relative growth rates of kikuyu tillers, but the latter dominated due to a greater absolute growth rate. Stature was an important component in the inter-species competition, and the taller prairie grass grew much better in competition with kikuyu than did fescue. Temperatures above 20�C exceeded the optimum of the seedlings of the temperate species but not that of kikuyu, so that the sown species were at a disadvantage and kikuyu dominated the mixture. It is concluded that prairie grass and tall fescue can be established successfully only in swards of kikuyu when day temperatures are below 21 and 15�C respectively, unless kikuyu is suppressed for a long period. A herbicide may be an economical means of doing this.

scholarly journals Where do we go from here?

2007 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
pp. 515-518
Author(s):  
J.H. Bouton
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Multidisciplinary Approach ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Fungal Genomes ◽  
On Farm

The viability of this international symposium on grass/fungal endophytes is a direct measure of the nature and strength of the underlying science itself. The symposium's past was dominated by a multidiscipline approach and a geographic focus in New Zealand, USA, and Australia, due mainly to the economic impact of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) when infected with Neotyphodium endophytes. There have been many research and technological findings reported during the past five symposia, with novel endophytes as an example of one having positive on-farm impact. In the future, it is anticipated that 1) the multidisciplinary approach will continue; 2) patenting issues will cause disruptions (hopefully small) in information sharing; 3) funding will drive the underlying science thereby continuing a concentration of work in New Zealand, Australia, and the USA, but opportunities will arise in these major countries for collaborative research with scientists in other geographies; 4) commercialisation and on-farm use of novel endophytes will expand; 5) sequencing and gene expression data will be available for the main fungal genomes, and microarray, genomics, and transciptome approaches will grow in importance; and 6) development of a "mind map" will help identify knowledge gaps for determining endophyte effects on animals. However, it was the inspiration, leadership, confidence, and even boldness of individual scientists in the field that pushed both this symposium and the science to the level it is today. Therefore, as the symposium moves forward, younger scientists need to assume leadership roles, and then be bold and confident in pushing forward; especially with continuing the symposium. Keywords: Neotyphodium, fungal endophytes, symposium, grasses, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass, biotechnologies

Agronomic advantages conferred by endophyte infection of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in Australia

2014 ◽  
Vol 65 (8) ◽  
pp. 747 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. E. Hume ◽  
J. C. Sewell
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Field Experiments ◽  
Insect Pests ◽  
Fungal Endophytes ◽  
High Stress ◽  
Agronomic Performance ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Endophyte Infection

Perennial ryegrass and tall fescue are key grasses of sown pastures in the high-rainfall zone of south-eastern Australia. Ryegrass in naturalised pastures, and in sown seed, is widely infected with Neotyphodium fungal endophytes, with toxic endophyte strains occasionally causing toxicosis in livestock. Endophyte infection is also beneficial in sown grasslands, assisting ryegrass hosts to overcome biotic stresses, and tall fescue hosts to overcome biotic and abiotic stresses. We review the literature for Australia and present new data, to examine the agronomic effects of endophyte. Frequency of endophyte infection in old, perennial ryegrass pastures and ecotype-based cultivars is high and, in all pastures, increases with time, providing evidence for endophyte-infected plants having an agronomic advantage over endophyte-free plants. Within a cultivar, agronomic field experiments have compared endophyte-infected with endophyte-free swards. Endophyte significantly improved ryegrass establishment in seven of 19 measurements taken from 12 trials. In mature ryegrass pastures, over half of the experiments found advantages to endophyte infection. Tall fescues infected with a selected endophyte (‘AR542’) had improved agronomic performance relative to endophyte-free in a majority of experiments, and on occasions, the endophyte was essential for tall fescue persistence. Cultivar × endophyte interactions occurred but were inconsistent. In high-stress environments, endophyte was more important for agronomic performance than difference between cultivars. The relative importance of cultivar and endophyte is discussed, with elite cultivars that are adapted to the region and are infected with elite endophytes being the best avenue to capture the benefits and minimise detrimental endophyte effects on livestock. The major drivers are likely to be insect pests and drought, but evidence is limited.

scholarly journals Additional Host Plants of Four Species of Billbug Found on New Jersey Turfgrasses

1990 ◽  
Vol 115 (4) ◽  
pp. 608-611 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer M. Johnson-Cicalese ◽  
C.R. Funk
Keyword(s):  
New Jersey ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Host Plants ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Poa Pratensis ◽  
Kentucky Bluegrass ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Red Fescue

Studies were conducted on the host plants of four billbug species (Coleoptera:Curculionidae: Sphenophorus parvulus Gyllenhal, S. venatus Chitt., S. inaequalis Say, and S. minimus Hart) found on New Jersey turfgrasses. A collection of 4803 adults from pure stands of various turfgrasses revealed all four billbugs on Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and S. parvulus, S. venatus, and S. minimus on Chewings fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. commutata Gaud.). Since the presence of larvae, pupae, or teneral adults more accurately indicates the host status of a grass species, immature billbugs were collected from plugs of the various grass species and reared to adults for identification. All four species were reared from immature billbugs found in Kentucky bluegrass turf; immatures of S. venatus, S. inaequalis, and S. minimus were found in tall fescue; S. venatus and S. minimus in perennial ryegrass; and S. inaequalis in strong creeping red fescue (F. rubra L. ssp. rubra). A laboratory experiment was also conducted in which billbug adults were confined in petri dishes with either Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, or bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon Pers.). Only minor differences were found between the four grasses in billbug survival, number of eggs laid, and amount of feeding. In general, bermudagrass was the least favored host and the other grasses were equally adequate hosts. The results of this study indicate a need for updating host-plant lists of these four billbug species.

scholarly journals VARIATION AMONG PERENNIAL RYEGRASS x TALL FESCUE PLANTS FROM TISSUE CULTURE

1988 ◽  
pp. 81-86
Author(s):  
A.G. Scott ◽  
D.W.R. White
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Culture ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Chromosome Doubling ◽  
Chromosome Elimination ◽  
Intergeneric Hybrids ◽  
Hybrid Plants ◽  
Spontaneous Chromosome

Tissue culture was used in an attempt to obtain a fertile perennial ryegrass x tall fescue hybrid. Regenerated hybrid plants were found to be morphologically variable and contain extensive chromosome rearrangements. Spontaneous chromosome doubling had occurred as well as chromosome elimination. though no fertile hybrid plants have been obtained to date. Keywords: somaclonal variation, Lolium perenne, Festuca arundinacea, intergeneric hybrids

scholarly journals Can pasture persistence be improved through the use of nonryegrass species?

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 157-162
Author(s):  
G.D. Milne
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Water Temperature ◽  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Dactylis Glomerata ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Nutrient Deficiencies ◽  
Recent Discussion

Recent discussion about pasture persistence concentrates on pastures based on perennial ryegrass, the most commonly used grass species. This paper raises the question as to whether some of the causes of poor pasture persistence are due to perennial ryegrass being used in environments to which it is not suited. The adaptation to environmental stresses, particularly water, temperature and nutrient deficiencies, in different regions of New Zealand of tall fescue, cocksfoot, phalaris, and lucerne are discussed, and how this impacts on persistence advantages over perennial ryegrass. Keywords: persistence, pasture, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca arundinacea, Lolium perenne, Medicago sativa, Phalaris aquatica

Production and forage quality of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii) in comparison to perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) in subtropical dairy pastures

2000 ◽  
Vol 40 (8) ◽  
pp. 1059 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. J. Fulkerson ◽  
J. F. M. Fennell ◽  
K. Slack
Keyword(s):  
Lolium Perenne ◽  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Seedling Recruitment ◽  
Forage Quality ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Tiller Stage ◽  
Prairie Grass

A grazing study was conducted, over a 3-year period (1997–99), on the subtropical north coast of New South Wales, Australia, to compare the yield of prairie grass (Bromus willdenowii cv. Matua), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea cv. Vulcan) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne cv. Yatsyn), on a well-drained red krasnozem soil at Wollongbar Agricultural Research Institute (WAI) and on a heavy clay soil at Casino. The effect of grazing interval (equivalent to the time taken to regrow 1.5, 2.5 or 4 leaves/tiller) in spring, and forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring was also assessed. At both sites, the dry matter (DM) yields of prairie grass over the establishment year and in year 2 were significantly (P<0.001) higher than for the other 2 grass species (mean for 2 years over the 2 sites was 23.8, 8.9 and 7.7 t DM/ha for prairie grass, ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively). In year 3, there was no production of tall fescue or ryegrass at the WAI site while prairie grass produced 11.3 t DM/ha although this was obtained from natural seedling recruitment after the sward was sprayed with a herbicide in February of that year. At the Casino site, ryegrass and tall fescue still made substantial growth in year 3 (3.1 and 2.1 t DM/ha for ryegrass and tall fescue, respectively) but this was significantly below the yields of prairie grass (5.5 t DM/ha). More frequent grazing of prairie grass in spring (equivalent to 1.5 leaves/tiller of regrowth) led to significantly (P<0.05) less plants surviving summer and less seedling recruitment in the following autumn. The annual yield of the 1.5 leaf treatment was significantly (P<0.05) lower than the remaining treatments but only in the third year of the study. Analysis of prairie grass forage samples, taken in June (vegetative sward) and November (reproductive sward), gave magnesium values of less than 0.2% DM which is below the concentration found in ryegrass and that recommended for dairy cattle. The Ca : P and K : (Ca + Mg) ratios in prairie grass improved, as a forage for dairy cows, with regrowth time up to 5 leaves/tiller. Metabolisable energy remained constant with regrowth time in June at 10.8 MJ/kg DM but fell significantly in November from 10.7 MJ/kg DM, immediately post-grazing, to 9.2 MJ/kg DM at the 4.5 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. In contrast to observations in ryegrass, the water-soluble carbohydrate content of forage samples of prairie grass taken in November showed a substantial increase with regrowth time to over 12% DM at the 3 leaves/tiller stage of regrowth. The high productivity and forage quality of prairie grass obtained over a 3-year period suggests this grass species could be a suitable temperate perennial grass for subtropical dairy pastures. An appropriately long grazing interval in spring seems critical to optimise plant survival over summer and for adequate seed set for seedling recruitment the following autumn. If summer weeds and/or grasses invade to a significant extent, the large seedbank of prairie grass provides the opportunity to spray out the pasture in summer and rely on seedling recruitment to establish a new sward in autumn. The forage quality of prairie grass in winter and spring is similar to perennial ryegrass but the magnesium levels are substantially lower and stock grazing this type of pasture for extended periods would need to be supplemented with this mineral.

Leaf development in eight related grasses

1994 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-46 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Gao ◽  
D. Wilman
Keyword(s):  
Perennial Ryegrass ◽  
Tall Fescue ◽  
Leaf Development ◽  
Festuca Arundinacea ◽  
Leaf Blade ◽  
Leaf Sheath ◽  
Leaf Expansion ◽  
Italian Ryegrass ◽  
Meadow Fescue ◽  
Rate Of Increase

SummaryLeaf development was studied in eight related grasses, grown in field swards cut at 5-week intervals, during the year of sowing and the subsequent year (1989 and 1990). The rate of leaf expansion was in the order Westerwolds ryegrass > Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue > hybrid ryegrass > perennial ryegrass × meadow fescue, meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis), tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne). The order of grasses was similar, but not identical, for rate of leaf appearance, rate of leaf extension, weight of leaf blade emerging per shoot per week and rate of increase in length of exposed leaf sheath, and the order was approximately the reverse for weight per unit area of emerging leaf blade. The area per leaf blade increased greatly between May and October of the year of sowing, particularly in Westerwolds, Italian and hybrid ryegrasses and Italian ryegrass × meadow fescue. Area per leaf blade in tall fescue increased greatly between May and July of the year of sowing and May–July of the subsequent year. Rate of leaf expansion in meadow fescue was much higher in May of the year after sowing than in the previous May.

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