Effects of seed hydropriming on growth of Festuca sinensis infected with Neotyphodium endophyte

The interactive effects of a Neotyphodium endophyte and hydropriming on Festuca sinensis seeds were determined within a germination cabinet and under greenhouse conditions. Seed germination was optimized by an imbibition period of 15–30 min. Endophyte combined with hydropriming significantly (P < 0.05) promoted interim germination (at osmotic potentials of −0.3 to −0.6 MPa), germination rate (−1.2 MPa), vigor index of seeds (0 to −1.2 MPa), length of coleoptile and radicle (−0.3 to −1.2 MPa) and seedling dry weight (0 to −1.2 MPa). Based on a long-term growth experiment, their interactive effects resulted in significant (P < 0.05) increases of above-ground dry weight, seedling heights during week 7–13 and tiller and leaf number during week 11–13 (P < 0.05), and greatly (P < 0.05) increased leaf elongation during week 7–11. Presence of the Neotyphodium endophyte combined with a seed hydropriming treatment is an effective strategy to improve seed germination and plant growth of F. sinensis.

► Fifteen minutes is the best hydrating time for Festuca sinensis seed germination.
► Neotyphodium infection improves seed germination after pre-sowing hydropriming.
► Endophyte infection enhances plant growth after pre-sowing hydropriming.