Seed-transmitted Epichloë sp. endophyte alleviates the negative effects of head smut of grasses (Ustilago bullata) on Bromus auleticus

Iannone, Leopoldo Javier; Vignale, M. Victoria; Pinget, Albertina Daniela; Re, A. A. M. del; Cargo, Patricia Débora Mc; Novas, María Victoria

doi:10.1016/j.funeco.2017.06.001

Cited by 25 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…This enhanced plant growth may have contributed to alleviating the negative effect of the pathogen on plant fitness [ 62 ]. For example, survival of Bromus auleticus plants challenged by the pathogen U. bullata was increased by the association of plants with a growth promoting Epichloë endophyte species [ 63 ] (and see also Chen et al [ 64 ]).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Plant Salicylic Acid Signalling Pathway Regulates the Infection of a Biotrophic Pathogen in Grasses Associated with an Epichloë Endophyte

Kou

Bastías

Christensen

et al. 2021

JoF

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The study of the contribution of the plant defence hormones, salicylic acid (SA) and jasmonic acid (JA), in the resistance against pathogens of plants associated with Epichloë fungal endophytes has been scanty. We hypothesised that Epichloë spp., capable of inducing host plant SA-dependent defences, would increase the levels of plant resistance against biotrophic pathogens. Plants of Achnatherum inebrians, with and without the fungal endophyte Epichloë gansuensis, were inoculated with the biotrophic fungal pathogen Blumeria graminis. We measured the status of plant defences (associated with SA and JA signalling pathways) and the levels of resistance to the pathogen. Plants associated with the endophyte showed less disease symptoms caused by the biotrophic pathogen than plants without the endophyte. In agreement with our hypothesis, the Epichloë endophyte increased the plant production of SA and enhanced the expression levels of plant genes of synthesis and response to the SA hormone. The elevated expression of SA-related genes coding for putative plant enzymes with anti-fungal activities promoted by the endophyte may explain the enhanced resistance to the pathogen. The present study highlights that interaction between the plant immune system and Epichloë fungal endophytes can contribute significantly to the resistance of endophyte-symbiotic plants against pathogens.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Plant Salicylic Acid Signalling Pathway Regulates the Infection of a Biotrophic Pathogen in Grasses Associated with an Epichloë Endophyte

Kou

Bastías

Christensen

et al. 2021

JoF

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“…Enhancing germination at high temperature or preventing it from occurring in a wrong place and time may result from species specific adaptive seed physiological traits, and to be endophyte‐modulated seed fitness trait that also minimises endophyte loss. These effects on seed germination altogether with the sum of other clear benefits would make B. auleticus E+ plants prevail over E− plants (Iannone et al, 2017; Iannone, Pinget, et al, 2012; Vignale et al, 2013) and reinforce the importance of the symbiosis with Epichloë in the management of this wild forage species.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 85%

“…In wild grasses, however, the presence of Epichloë fungal endophytes has shown variable effects on different aspects of host plant performance suggesting a stronger context‐dependency of effects (Davitt et al, 2011; Faeth et al, 2004; Faeth & Sullivan, 2003; Sullivan & Faeth, 2008). For several indigenous grasses from Argentina (i.e., B. auleticus , Bromus pictus ) it has been reported that endophytes can promote plant growth (Iannone & Cabral, 2006; Iannone, Pinget, et al, 2012; Novas et al, 2003), mycorrhizal colonisation (Novas et al, 2005, 2009, 2011; Vignale et al, 2016, 2018), and to confer resistance to pathogens in B. auleticus (Iannone et al, 2017; Vignale et al, 2013). Despite these overall benefits, it is unclear if endophyte mediated effects on grasses of South America can vary in different populations and contribute to plant adaptation to the local environmental conditions as reported in Festuca arizonica (Sullivan & Faeth, 2008) and Poa alsodes (Shymanovich & Faeth, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotype‐specific effects of fungal endophytes on germination responses of seeds of the South American wild forage grass Bromus auleticus

Rubio

Gundel

Novas

et al. 2021

Annals of Applied Biology

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Bromus auleticus is a winter wild species with promissory characteristics for domestication as forage that inhabits temperate‐warm grasslands from a wide region from South America. Populations from regions with different environmental conditions are considered as ecotypes and are associated with different seedborne Epichloë fungal endophytes. Association with Epichloë provides B. auleticus with increased growth capacity and resistance against pathogens. The seeds mature at the end of spring and germinate in autumn, remaining dormant during wet and warm summer. As the persistence of Epichloë endophytes in the seed is highly sensitive to temperature and humidity, we studied how the endophytes modulate seed germination in response to these factors in two B. auleticus ecotypes named La Pampa (LP) and El Palmar (EP). We also studied how environmental factors during germination affect endophyte survival. In the LP ecotype, adapted to coldest temperatures in autumn, Epichloë improved final germination under alternating temperatures, but had no effects on germination inhibition imposed by low water availability. In the EP ecotype, adapted to warm humid summer and autumn, the endophyte promoted germination at constant 25°C and alternating 15/25°C temperatures, and prevented germination at low water potentials. At 30°C, seed germination was inhibited and whereas seeds remained viable, endophyte survival was significantly lowered. The effect of Epichloë on B. auleticus seed germination was ecotype‐specific: promoting germination at alternating temperatures in La Pampa ecotype or at high temperatures in El Palmar ecotype, while inhibiting it at low water availabilities, could be an endophyte‐mediated ecotypic strategy minimising endophyte mortality and increasing seedling establishment.

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“…Endophytes enhance the production of compounds like superoxide dismutase and peroxidases that scavenge for ROS. Studies have also found an increase in proline, another ROS scavenger, and a decrease in malondialdehyde in E+ perennial ryegrass under pathogen stress compared to E-perennial ryegrass (Table 1) [82][83][84][85][86][87]. A recent study found that when spray was inoculated with ergot, drunken horse grass infected with E. gansuensis combated the disease successfully though increased antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, catalase and proline and decreased malondialdehyde content [88].…”

Section: Pathogensmentioning

confidence: 99%

Interaction between Grasses and Epichloë Endophytes and Its Significance to Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance and the Rhizosphere

et al. 2021

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Cool-season grasses are the most common forage types in livestock operations and amenities. Several of the cool-season grasses establish mutualistic associations with an endophytic fungus of the Epichloë genus. The grasses and endophytic fungi have evolved over a long period of time to form host-fungus specific relationships that confer protection for the grass against various stressors in exchange for housing and nutrients to the fungus. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms by which Epichloë endophytes and grasses interact, including molecular pathways for secondary metabolite production. It also outlines specific mechanisms by which the endophyte helps protect the plant from various abiotic and biotic stressors. Finally, the review provides information on how Epichloë infection of grass and stressors affect the rhizosphere environment of the plant.

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Seed-transmitted Epichloë sp. endophyte alleviates the negative effects of head smut of grasses (Ustilago bullata) on Bromus auleticus

Cited by 25 publications

References 44 publications

The Plant Salicylic Acid Signalling Pathway Regulates the Infection of a Biotrophic Pathogen in Grasses Associated with an Epichloë Endophyte

The Plant Salicylic Acid Signalling Pathway Regulates the Infection of a Biotrophic Pathogen in Grasses Associated with an Epichloë Endophyte

Ecotype‐specific effects of fungal endophytes on germination responses of seeds of the South American wild forage grass Bromus auleticus

Interaction between Grasses and Epichloë Endophytes and Its Significance to Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance and the Rhizosphere

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