Occurrence and Significance of Endophytic Fungi in the Fine Fescues

Abstract

Acremonium-type endophytic fungi were detected in 19 of 83 seed lots of fine fescue cultivars and selections [Festuca glauca, F. heterophylla, F. longifolia, F. ovina, F. rubra subsp. commutata, F. rubra subsp. litoralis, F. rubra subsp. rubra]. The 19 infected seed lots wre mostly of European origin and averaged 50% infected seed. Endophytes were detected in 10 of 328 fine fescue plants collected from old established turfs throughout the United States. Endophytes found in these plants and seed lots of fine fescue are, for the most part, non-choke-inducing (NCI). Of particular significance is the findings that NCI endophytes occur in blue fescue, sheeps fescue, various-leaved fescue, and Festuca ovina subsp. vallesiaca. NCI endophytic fungi were also found in three subspecies of F. rubra, namely, strong creeping red, slender creeping red, and Chewings fescue and in hard fescues. These endophytes appear to be associated with enhanced host plant resistance to chinch bugs [Blissus leucopterus], an important turfgrass pest. Breeding programs to incorporate useful NCI endophytes into leading cultivars and elite germ plasm collections of fine fescue have been initiated.