Endophyte-mediated disease resistance in wild populations of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne)

• Endophyte infected (E+) and endophyte free (E−) plants of Lolium perenne were used.
• Plants were inoculated with Drechslera siccans and Fusarium spp.
• Positive effects of endophyte presence on plant resistance was observed.
• For a few ecotypes increased resistance against both diseases was noted.

Twelve wild, endophyte-infected populations of perennial ryegrass were tested for resistance against artificial infection of Drechslera siccans and Fusarium spp. Plants with identified endophyte presence (E+), together with plants free from endophytes (E−), were inoculated with serious turf grass pathogens: D. siccans (cause of brown blight) and a mixture of Fusarium species (cause of Fusarium blight). For both diseases, the positive effect of endophyte presence on plant resistance was observed. In the case of a few ecotypes, endophyte infection increased resistance against both diseases, which is of practical importance for disease control.