Interaction Between Grasses and Endophytes and Its Significance to Biotic and Abiotic Stress Tolerance and the Rhizosphere

Overview

Journal Microorganisms

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2021 Nov 27

PMID 34835312

Citations 16

Authors

Kendall Lee

Ali Missaoui

Kishan Mahmud

Holly Presley

Marin Lonnee

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cool-season grasses are the most common forage types in livestock operations and amenities. Several of the cool-season grasses establish mutualistic associations with an endophytic fungus of the genus. The grasses and endophytic fungi have evolved over a long period of time to form host-fungus specific relationships that confer protection for the grass against various stressors in exchange for housing and nutrients to the fungus. This review provides an overview of the mechanisms by which endophytes and grasses interact, including molecular pathways for secondary metabolite production. It also outlines specific mechanisms by which the endophyte helps protect the plant from various abiotic and biotic stressors. Finally, the review provides information on how infection of grass and stressors affect the rhizosphere environment of the plant.

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