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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Plant Germplasm Introduction and Testing Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #89022
Title: ACREMONIUM ENDOPHYTES IN MEDITERRANEAN TALL FESCUE

Author
item Clement, Stephen
item GRAVES, W. - RETIRED SCIENTIST
item CUNNINGHAM, P. - BIBLE COLLEGE OF VICTORIA
item NEBLING, V. - FORMER ARS EMPLOYEE
item BOUNEJMUTE, M. - INRA, RABAT, MOROCCO
item SAIDI, S. - INRA, RABAT, MOROCCO
item BAYA, B. - INRA, RABAT, MOROCCO
item CHAKROUN, M. - INRAT, ARIANA, TUNISIA
item MEZNI, A. - INRAT, ARIANA, TANISIA
item PORQUEDDU, C. - CNR, SASSARI, ITALY

Submitted to: International Neotyphodium Grass Interactions
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/28/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Not required.

Technical Abstract: Surveys of grass germplasm collections for Acremonium endophytes may identify endophyte species and strains for improving forage and turf performance. Therefore, tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) germplasm from a joint Australian-US collection trip to Morocco, Tunisia, and Italy (Sardenia) in 1994, and acquired by the USDA-ARS Plant Introduction Station in Pullman, WA, was surveyed for viable endophytes. The collection sites covered a wide range of soil types and pH, elevation, and climates. Endophytes were isolated from leaf sheaths and stems on potato dextrose agar. Within countries, accession infection rates were 85.7 percent, 98.2 percent, and 100 percent for Tunisia (n=28 accessions), Morocco (n=56), and Italy (n=20) collections, respectively. Plant infection rates were 57.5 percent (Tunisia, n=120 plants), 68.6 percent (Italy, n=86), and 89.3 percent (Morocco, n=233). Preliminary research indicates the presence of diverse strains of Acremonium fungi in these plants.