Document: JAY-3-35-29

Endophytic fungi in Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye): What, where, and why?

HORNING, J.L.*, R.A.SCHMITT and M.ANN VINTON

Creighton University, Omaha, NE 68178 ¹

Abstract:
In previous work, we have shown that over 90% of E. canadensis plants growing in the field are infected with an endophyte that grows in the intercellular portions of the plant. The nature and ecological implication of the plant-fungal association in E. canadensis are unknown. To adequately characterize the specific interactions between the fungus and the plant, it is necessary to produce uninfected (E-) and infected (E+) individual plants and to detect the fungus with a high degree of certainty. Detection methods for all grasses have traditionally relied on direct microscopy in which fungal hyphae can be observed. More recently, a monoclonal antibody test kit specific to proteins in Neotyphodium in Festuca has been developed. We compared the results of the two detection methods. Preliminary results suggest that the more rapid test kit yields results similar to those with direct microscopy. We were able to plate out the endophyte from seeds and tiller sections from E+ plants using potato dextrose agar (PDA). The endophyte in E. canadensis shares similar characteristics of Neotyphodium in Festuca, in that the growth rates on the PDA were comparable and the hyphae were of a thick, cottony appearance. However, there appear to be morphological differences between the endophyte in E. canadensis and Neotyphodium in Festuca, with the E. canadensis endophyte having straighter hyphae. In determining if the endophyte in E. canadensis is similar to Neotyphodium it will help us understand whether or not the protocols established for Neotyphodium in Festuca can be applied with reasonable certainty to E. canadensis.

Keywords: endophyte, Neotyphodium, fungus, plant, Canada wild rye

This abstract is being presented at: 3:30 PM in session:
PLANT-ANIMAL INTERACTIONS