Effects of Epichloe endophytes on litter decomposition--depending on different host species

Aims Grass fungal endophyte symbioses are widespread in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau grasslands. The symbioses with fungal endophytes would likely have an important role in affecting ecosystem functioning (e.g., carbon and nutrients cycling, and primary productivity) It is necessary to understand the role of fungal endophytes in the litter decomposition as well as the nutrient transition of ecosystem in which endophyte host species are abundant. Methods Taking Festuca sinensis, Stipa purpurea and Achnatherum inebrians as study objects, litterbag method was used to compare the litter decomposition of these species with / without endophyte (E+ and E-). The changes in litter weight, total nitrogen, lignin and cellulose contents and their residual rate during the decomposition process were estimated in this study. The microbial biomass carbon and nitrogen of soil under litters were also compared. Results The litter from E+ F. sinensis and S. purpurea decomposed more quickly along with the cellulose compared with E-. The contents and residual rates of nitrogen and lignin in the F. sinensis and S. purpurea litters had no apparent trend of change. The microbial biomass nitrogen of soil under the E+ F. sinensis and S. purpurea litters was higher than that of the E- litters. Alternatively, the rates of decomposition and degradation of lignin were lower in the E+ A. inebrians litter than those of the E- litter. The endophyte decreased the microbial biomass carbon of soil under A. inebrians litter. Conclusions Endophytes will affect litter decomposition of host plants. Different grass-endophyte symbioses had different decomposition rates. Our results will enhance the knowledge of the role of endophytes in ecological progress of grassland.

Automated summary

Endophytes have an impact on litter decomposition of host plants, and different grass-endophyte symbioses exhibit different decomposition rates. Our study results will enhance the understanding of the role of endophytes in ecological processes of grasslands.