Chemotypic diversity of bioprotective grass endophytes based on genome analyses, with new insights from a Mediterranean-climate region in Isfahan Province, Iran.

species are systemic, often seed-transmissible symbionts (endophytes) of cool-season grasses (Poaceae subfam. Poöideae) that produce up to four classes of bioprotective alkaloids. Whereas haploid species may reproduce sexually and transmit between host plants (horizontally), many species are polyploid hybrids that are exclusively transmitted via seeds (vertically).

Transcriptome analysis of strains in tall fescue in response to drought stress.

, a systemic fungal symbiont (endophyte) of tall fescue (), has been documented to confer to this grass better persistence than plants lacking the endophyte, especially under stress conditions such as drought. The response, if any, of the endophyte to imposition of stress on the host plant has not been characterized previously. Therefore, we investigated effects on gene expression by and a related endophyte when plant-endophyte symbiota were subjected to acute water-deficit stress.

Differential gene expression in tall fescue tissues in response to water deficit.

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) is a popular pasture and turf grass particularly known for drought resistance, allowing for its persistence in locations that are unfavorable for other cool-season grasses. Also, its seed-borne fungal symbiont (endophyte) Epichloë coenophiala, which resides in the crown and pseudostem, can be a contributing factor in its drought tolerance.

Cross-species transcriptomics identifies core regulatory changes differentiating the asymptomatic asexual and virulent sexual life cycles of grass-symbiotic Epichloë fungi.

Fungi from the genus Epichloë form systemic endobiotic infections of cool season grasses, producing a range of host-protective natural products in return for access to nutrients. These infections are asymptomatic during vegetative host growth, with associations between asexual Epichloë spp. and their hosts considered mutualistic.

Transcriptome Analysis and Differential Expression in Tall Fescue Harboring Different Endophyte Strains in Response to Water Deficit.

Two tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh. = Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.