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RESEARCH ARTICLE

Stability and viability of novel perennial ryegrass host–Neotyphodium endophyte associations

P. Tian A B C D E , T.-N. Le A E , K. F. Smith B C D E , J. W. Forster A C D E , K. M. Guthridge A D E and G. C. Spangenberg A C D E F
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Department of Primary Industries, Biosciences Research Division, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.

B Department of Primary Industries, Biosciences Research Division, Hamilton Centre, Mount Napier Road, Hamilton, Vic. 3300, Australia.

C La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic. 3086, Australia.

D Molecular Plant Breeding Cooperative Research Centre, Victorian AgriBiosciences Centre, La Trobe Research and Development Park, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.

E Dairy Futures Cooperative Research Centre, AgriBio, The Centre for AgriBioscience, 5 Ring Road, Bundoora, Vic. 3083, Australia.

F Corresponding author. Email: german.spangenberg@dpi.vic.gov.au

Crop and Pasture Science 64(1) 39-50 https://doi.org/10.1071/CP12419
Submitted: 13 December 2012  Accepted: 20 February 2013   Published: 2 April 2013

Abstract

The temperate pasture grass Lolium perenne L. is commonly found in association with the fungal endophyte Neotyphodium lolii. Viability of both seed and endophyte was evaluated by inoculation of individual genotypes from the host cultivar Bronsyn with six distinct endophyte strains. The resulting populations were subjected to either long-term storage under various temperature conditions, or accelerated ageing (AA) treatments. High temperature storage was detrimental to endophyte viability. The AA variables (relative humidity [RH] and time) and subsequent temperature and duration of storage significantly (P < 0.05) affected both seed germination and endophyte viability. Significant interaction effects between the AA treatment and storage conditions were also observed. Endophyte viability following AA treatment was inversely correlated with both increasing RH and duration of treatment. Differential responses between different endophytes within the Bronsyn host were also apparent. The standard endophyte (SE) strain and the novel endophytes AR1 and AR37 exhibited higher viability than NEA2, NEA3, and NEA6 during seed storage, suggesting the importance of identification and selection for compatible symbiotic associations in agronomic varieties. The observed similarity between assessments of endophyte viability after AA treatments and following long-term storage confirmed the capacity of moderate conditions (e.g. 80% RH for 7 days or 100% RH for 4 days) to predict variation in viability between different endophyte strains.

Additional keywords: accelerated ageing, Lolium, molecular breeding, pasture, seed storage, symbiosis.


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