Ecophysiological Responses of Tall Fescue Genotypes to Fungal Endophyte Infection, Elevated Temperature, and Precipitation

Bourguignon, Marie; Nelson, Jim A.; Carlisle, Elizabeth; Ji, Huihua; Dinkins, Randy D.; Phillips, Tim D.; McCulley, Rebecca L.

doi:10.2135/cropsci2015.01.0020

Ecophysiological Responses of Tall Fescue Genotypes to Fungal Endophyte Infection, Elevated Temperature, and Precipitation

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EDT 2015 · Crop Science

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2135/cropsci2015.01.0020· OSTI ID:1582107

Bourguignon, Marie ^[1]; Nelson, Jim A. ^[1]; Carlisle, Elizabeth ^[1]; Ji, Huihua ^[1]; Dinkins, Randy D. ^[2]; Phillips, Tim D. ^[1]; McCulley, Rebecca L. ^[1]

Dep. of Plant and Soil Sciences Plant Science Building, 1407 Veterans Drive Univ. of Kentucky Lexington KY 40546‐0312
USDA-ARS Ag. Science Building North 1100 Nicholasville Road (Office: N220C) Lexington KY 40546‐0312

ABSTRACT

Tall fescue ( Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort., nom. cons.) can form a symbiosis with the fungal endophyte Epichloë coenophiala , whose presence often benefits the plant, depending on plant and fungal genetics and the prevailing environmental conditions. Despite this symbiosis having agricultural, economic, and ecological importance, relatively little is known regarding its response to predicted global climate change. We quantified the ecophysiological responses of four tall fescue genetic clone pairs, where each pair consisted of one endophyte‐infected (E+) and one endophyte‐free clone, to climate change factors of annually elevated temperature and seasonally increased precipitation. Endophyte presence increased fescue tillering and biomass production in the elevated temperature treatment and greatly enhanced the ability of two of the fescue clones to recover from the hot and unusually dry summer. Surprisingly, endophyte infection also stimulated biomass production and photosynthesis rates (for one clone) in the most mesic treatment (additional precipitation). Toxic ergot alkaloid concentrations increased in E+ individuals exposed to elevated temperatures, particularly in the fall, but the strength of the response varied across E+ genotypes. Overall, this study suggests that choice of plant and endophyte genetic material will be important in determining the productivity, toxicity, and resilience of tall fescue pastures under future climate conditions.

View Accepted Manuscript (Publisher)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE

OSTI ID:: 1582107

Journal Information:: Crop Science, Journal Name: Crop Science Journal Issue: 6 Vol. 55; ISSN 0011-183X

Publisher:: Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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