Publication Date

1997

Description

Central European varieties of Festuca pratensis Huds. are sometimes infested by the endophytic fungus Acremonium uncinatum. This paper informs about field trials staged on 9 locations for studying biomass and seed yield of different Festuca pratensis varieties, each endophyte-infested (E+) and endophyte-free (E-). In the E+-variants of 2 selected varieties, which were tested in 17 field experiments for field emergence, the number of emerged plants per m2 was significantly increased in 8 cases, preferably on the same location. Analyses of the biomass yield furnished better results in most E+- variants, albeit seldom on a significant level. However, the average values of 10 trials revealed a significant increase of the annual total yield of the E+-variants in 2 varieties. The E+-variants turned out to be also superior in seed performance as proven by the mean values of 10 experiments. The difference to the E--variants was significant in 3 varieties. The symbiotic effects on biomass and seed yield formation caused in Festuca pratensis by the endophytic fungus Acremonium uncinatum may vary depending on the variety.

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Endophyte Effects in Central European Festuca Pratensis Huds Varieties on Field Emergence and Yield on Various Sites

Central European varieties of Festuca pratensis Huds. are sometimes infested by the endophytic fungus Acremonium uncinatum. This paper informs about field trials staged on 9 locations for studying biomass and seed yield of different Festuca pratensis varieties, each endophyte-infested (E+) and endophyte-free (E-). In the E+-variants of 2 selected varieties, which were tested in 17 field experiments for field emergence, the number of emerged plants per m2 was significantly increased in 8 cases, preferably on the same location. Analyses of the biomass yield furnished better results in most E+- variants, albeit seldom on a significant level. However, the average values of 10 trials revealed a significant increase of the annual total yield of the E+-variants in 2 varieties. The E+-variants turned out to be also superior in seed performance as proven by the mean values of 10 experiments. The difference to the E--variants was significant in 3 varieties. The symbiotic effects on biomass and seed yield formation caused in Festuca pratensis by the endophytic fungus Acremonium uncinatum may vary depending on the variety.