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Host genotype overrides fungal endophyte infection in influencing tiller and spike production of Lolium perenne (Poaceae) in a common garden experiment¹

Department of Biology, College of Staten Island, City University of New York, Staten Island, New York 10314 USA

ABSTRACT

Leaves of many cool-season grasses are infected by endophytic fungi that can impact their populations. A common garden experiment with Lolium perenne was established in a lawn in New Jersey, USA, to investigate the impact of endophyte infection and host genotype on tiller and spike production over three years. Infected (E+) and uninfected (E–) plants of each genotype were monitored every 2–3 mo. Infection intensity within plants varied significantly among genotypes and years, but there was no evidence of directional change over time. Tiller production varied significantly among genotypes and was affected by endophytes: E+ plants of several genotypes produced more tillers than E– plants during the third year. E+ plants had greater aboveground biomass, but host genotype explained a far greater proportion of variation in tiller production, number, and biomass than infection. Plant survival, percentage flowering, flowering date, number of spikes, and mean tiller mass were unaffected by endophytes. However, the last three variables showed significant variation among host genotypes. Although studies have demonstrated a positive growth effect of endophytes on several grass hosts, in this experiment host genotype accounted for far more of the variation in tiller and spike production and in biomass of Lolium perenne than endophyte infection.

Key Words: common garden • endophytic fungi • flowering • infection intensity • Neotyphodium lolii • perennial ryegrass • population ecology • tiller production

Received for publication 1 February 2008. Accepted for publication 11 June 2008.

FOOTNOTES

¹ The author thanks K. H. Kane for help with data collection and two anonymous reviewers and the associate editor for helpful comments on the manuscript.

² e-mail: cheplick{at}mail.csi.cuny.edu