Occurrence of endophyte fungi on grasses in Poland – Review

The first reports from Pfannmöller et al. (1994) and Lewis (2000) regarding the level of Neotyphodium colonization of grasses in Poland identified ratios ranging from 20 % to 60 %. To date, the studies of endophytes in Poland have focused mainly on the rate of endophyte infection in subsequent years of plantation use, the effect of endophytes on turf performance and the occurrence of endophytes in cultivars of meadow fescue, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. The aforementioned studies were mainly conducted on breeding varieties of grasses. From 2007 to 2009, intensive studies on Neotyphodium occurrence in ecotypes of wild grasses in Poland were conducted. The results suggest that Neotyphodium species are quite common in Poland and colonize roughly 70 % of semi-natural, used or abandoned grasslands. In this paper we review studies that have been conducted thus far in Poland regarding the occurrence of Neotyphodium spp. in grasses.

► We summarized Polish literature describing the occurrence of Neotyphodium spp. on grasses in Poland. ► Neotyphodium fungi colonize grasses on ca. 70 % of semi-natural, used or abandoned grasslands in Poland. ► Endophytes were found also in seeds, especially of meadow and red fescues and perennial ryegrass. ► Seeds with endophytes were found in forage grass seed mixtures bought in local markets.