Title : Evaluation of agronomic performance of perennial ryegrass and tall fescue endophytically infected by neotyphodium under Tunisian conditions
Abstract:
The impact of endophyte infection on the agronomic performance of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) was evaluated using wild and cultivated plants either infected or not with Neotyphodium. Experimental plants were subjected to nutrient and water treatments. Although endophyte infection generally enhances the performance of perennial grasses, its effects play an active role either by directly producing alkaloids or by stimulating the synthesis of secondary metabolites in the host plant. These compounds were identified using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS). Neotyphodium infection improves stress tolerance, thereby reducing the need for high proline accumulation, whose quantification showed strong variability among the analyzed accessions. The interaction between endophytes and perennial grasses is defined as a mutualistic defense. Within this association, the endophyte produces different classes of alkaloids or induces the plant to synthesize secondary metabolites that contribute to protection against herbivores, insects, and nematodes.
Keywords: alkaloids, perennial grasses, secondary metabolites, Tunisia
