Enhancement of yield and persistence of perennial ryegrass inoculated with one endophyte isolate in France

摘要

The yield and persistence of three endophyte-infected (E.I.) and endophyte-free (E.F.) perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) cultivars were compared. The E.I. versions were obtained by artificial inoculation of each cultivar with one isolate of Neotyphodium belonging to the second taxonomic group (LpTG-2). The field experiment was carried out for a 3-year period at five different locations in France, three of which could be considered climatically stressful for perennial ryegrass. At all locations, the endophyte enhanced the productivity of each cultivar in the second year after sowing; moreover, it generally improved their persistence in stressful environments. It is suggested that endophyte infection can increase the ecological fitness of perennial ryegrass and that plant breeders can use endophytes to improve perennial ryegrass, provided that the strains involved produce no or low levels of toxins dangerous for mammals.