Symbiosis between Grasses and Endophytes.

PÉREZ, L.I. ; GUNDEL, P.E. ; OMACINI, M.

Encyclopedia of Pest Management.

Taylor and Francis

Lugar: New York; Año: 2014; p. 1 - 4

The interaction between plants and microorganisms affectslife-history traits of both partners in ecological and evolutionary terms withprofound consequences at different levels of organization. The symbiosis betweencertain cool season grasses and fungal endophytes of genus Neotyphodium isconsidered a very specialized one, producing an asymptomatic infection andbeing exclusively transmitted from mother plants to offspring. We have learnedin the last three decades that this symbiosis greatly impacts on ecology andevolution of host grasses. In this entry, we make a critical overview ofgrass?endophytes association and its effect across levels of organization,going from individuals up to ecosystems and its applications as a biologicaltool for pest control.