Fungal endophyte infection increases tall fescue's survival, growth, and flowering in a reconstructed prairie

Abstract

Grasslands in North America are increasingly threatened by land conversion and ecological degradation, prompting restoration efforts to increase native plant species diversity and improve wildlife habitat. A major challenge is the removal and management of nonnative invasive species such as tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus), which has a symbiotic association with a fungal endophyte (Epichloë coenophiala) that modifies its ecological interactions. Using transplanted clumps of the cultivar Kentucky‐31, we tested the effects of endophyte infection on tall fescue's survival and performance (tiller production, flowering, and basal area) for 5 years in a central Kentucky reconstructed prairie. We predicted that endophyte infected (E+) clumps would have increased performance compared to endophyte‐free (E−) clumps. Overall, E+ clumps had greater survival, tiller production, flowering tiller production, and basal area, but not reproductive effort (proportion of tillers flowering) as compared to E− clumps. However, survival and trends in tiller number and basal area over the 5‐year period suggested experimental tall fescue populations were in decline in the reconstructed prairie, although the E− population declined more rapidly. Our study provides evidence that endophyte infection improved tall fescue's growth and survival in a postreconstruction plant community, at least in the early years following reconstruction, and may increase the invasive potential of this nonnative species in prairie restorations.

Nitrogen addition and fungal symbiosis alter early dune plant succession

“…Unlike N treatment effects which varied among years, Epichloë was associated with consistently increased Ammophila tiller density during the last 5 years of our long-term study, most likely as a carry-over of the initial benefits to Ammophila growth and survival provided during early years of the experiment (Emery et al 2015 ). However, the rates of decline in tiller abundance during the past 5 years were similar across the two endophyte treatments, indicating that Epichloë provided little additional benefit to host plants during Ammophila die-off, in contrast to at least one other study of Epichloë effects on long-term host plant fitness and decline (Moore et al 2019 ). Thus, we conclude that Epichloë is most important in early stages of host plant growth in this ecosystem where Epichloë plays a crucial role in earlier stages of succession by promoting tillering (Emery et al 2015 ) before Ammophila die off begins.…”

The pioneer effect advantage in plant invasions: site priming of native grasslands by invasive grasses

“…A later temporal niche often is the result of being able to use resources unavailable to other members of the plant community (e.g., uptake water at high tension) or higher tolerance for temperature extremes (Concilio et al 2017). Some grasses that can be invasive harbor maternally transmitted endophytes that shift their phenology in a subtle manner by encouraging vegetative reproduction rather than sexual reproduction, with the potential to expand the temporal niche for establishment and spread via clonal growth (Moore et al 2019). Soilborne microbes that benefit or do not harm invaders also can impact phenological events for native species, including breaking of seed dormancy at phenologically disadvantageous times (e.g., for winter annuals, in summer; Li et al 2019).…”

Habilidad competitiva entre plantas de festuca alta libres e infectadas con hongo endófito bajo cosecha.

“…El mayor número de panojas en plantas E+ concuerda con lo observado por varios autores. Rice et al (1990) al comparar los mismos genotipos con y sin infección y Moore et al (2019) en experimentos de largo plazo a campo concluyen que la infección endofítica favorece la reproducción de festuca y puede incrementar la frecuencia de infección en sus poblaciones, o su capacidad invasiva en pastizales nativos degradados, dificultando la restauración de los mismos.…”