Endophyte-mediated disease resistance in wild populations of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

Twelve wild, endophyte-infected populations of perennial ryegrass were tested for resistance against artificial infection of Drechslera siccans and Fusarium spp. Plants with identified endophyte presence (E+), together with plants free from endophytes (E-), were inoculated with serious turf grass pathogens: D. siccans (cause of brown blight) and a mixture of Fusarium species (cause of Fusarium blight). For both diseases, the positive effect of endophyte presence on plant resistance was observed. In the case of a few eco-types, endophyte infection increased resistance against both diseases, which is of practical importance for disease control. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and The British Mycological Society.