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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #163859
Title: FUNGAL ENDOPHYTES INTRINSICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH MICROPROPAGATED PLANTS REGENERATED FROM NATIVE BOUTELOUA ERIOPODA TORR. AND ATRIPLEX CANESCENS (PURSH) NUTT

Author
item Barrow, Jerry
item OSUNA-AVILA, PEDRO - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item REYES-VERA, ISAAC - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV

Submitted to: In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Plants
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/1/2004
Publication Date: 11/1/2004
Citation: Barrow, J.R., Osuna-Avila, P., Reyes-Vera, I. 2004. Fungal endophytes intrinsically associated with micropropagated plants regenerated from native Bouteloua eriopoda Torr. and Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. In Vitro Cellular and Developmental Biology - Plants. 40(6):608-612.

Interpretive Summary: Cells and plants grown in sterile cultures are presumed to be free of microorganisms. We found that regenerated plants of black grama and fourwing saltbush, two important forage species in arid Soutwestern rangelands, were intrinsically colonized by symbiotic fungi that also colonize native plants. These native plants are composite, plant-fungus organisms. Associated fungi protect the host plants from extreme drought.

Technical Abstract: Black grama (Bouteloua eriopoda) and fourwing saltbush (Atriplex canescens) are important grass and shrub species in arid rangelands of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. They are naturally colonized by dark septate endophytic fungi that cannot be eliminated by seed disinfestation. Plants were regenerated from both species and appeared to be fungus free in axenic cultures. Analysis of callus and regenerated plants of both species using dual staining with light and scanning electron microscopy revealed fungal endophytes intrinsically associated with cells, roots and leaves of regenerated plants that are also associated with native plants. Fungal layers and biofilms prevent direct exposure of callus, root or leaf tissues to the external environment. Micropropagation is a valuable tool for identifying key fungal endophytes that enhance drought tolerance in native desert plants.