Endophyte Effects on Nutrient Acquisition in Tall Fescue Grown in Andisols

ABSTRACT

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (Morgan-Jones and Gams) Glenn, Bacon, and Hanlin on the mineral content of tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum Schreb., SJ Darbyshire) ecotypes (Fukaura, Koiwai, and Showa) grown on two Andisols (Black Andisol and Red Andisol) with different fertilities. Black Andisol, with a naturally low content of phosphorus, was high in other nutrients, while Red Andisol, with a naturally high content of phosphorus, was low in other nutrients. Shoot dry weight was significantly higher in endophyte-infected (E+) than endophyte-free (E−) plants grown in Black Andisol. On the other hand, in Red Andisol, only Fukaura showed higher shoot dry matter production in E+ plants as compared to E- plants. In general, greater concentrations of phosphorus and manganese were found in endophyte-infected (E+) plants than non-infected (E−) plants. Accumulation of all nutrients in E+ plants was remarkably higher than in E− plants. Excluding the plant ecotype effect, the nutrient concentration and accumulation pattern for plants in the two soils was different in E+ and E− plants. Plants growing in Black Andisol had greater concentrations of phosphorus (P), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in E+ plants than those of E− plants whereas for plants in Red Andisol the reverse was true. Significantly higher concentration of manganese (Mn) was found in E+ plants irrespective of soils. Regardless of endophyte and ecotypes, plants grown in Black Andisol showed significantly higher values for both nutrient concentration and accumulation than those in Red Andisol. Apart from the plant ecotype Showa, all other ecotypes had the greatest accumulation and concentration of phosphorus in E+ plants. In two types of soil and among the three plant ecotypes, endophyte infection had different effects on nutrients acquisition. Giving emphasis on nutrient accumulation, endophyte played an overall negative role on plants grown in Red Andisol. There may be a metabolic cost of harboring endophytes offset its benefit in Red Andisol. Since the same species of endophyte infected all three ecotypes, our results show that the host/endophyte interaction depends on plant ecotype as well as the ability of the soil to supply nutrients.

Keywords:

• andisols
• ecotype
• endophyte
• nutrient status
• tall fescue
• cost and benefit

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We are very grateful to Dr. G.C.M. Latch of Grassland Research Center, Agresearch, New Zealand for his valuable comments and critical reading of the manuscript.

Notes

∗Light colored Andisol.

^a ∗, ∗∗, ∗∗∗, significant at 5%, 1%, 0.1% level, respectively.

∗Values within the column and parameters for each variable with the same letters are not singnificantly different at P < 0.05.

∗Values within the column and parameters for each variable with the same letters are not singnificantly different at P < 0.05.

∗Values within the column and parameters for each variable with the same letters are not singnificantly different at P < 0.05.

¹Bolded are nonsignificant at P < 0.05.

¹Bolded are nonsignificant at P < 0.05.