Reciprocal Effects of Silicon Supply and Endophytes on Silicon Accumulation and Epichloe Colonization in Grasses.

ABSTRACT: Cool season grasses associate asymptomatically with foliar Epichloë endophytic fungi in a symbiosis where Epichloë spp. protects the plant from a number of biotic and abiotic stresses. Furthermore, many grass species can accumulate large quantities of silicon (Si), which also alleviates a similar range of stresses. While Epichloë endophytes may improve uptake of minerals and nutrients, their impact on Si is largely unknown. Likewise, the effect of Si availability on Epichloë colonization remains untested. To assess the bidirectional relationship, we grew tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) hydroponically with or without Si. Grasses were associated with five different Epichloë endophyte strains [tall fesc

SUBMITTER: Cibils-Stewart X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7652995 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature