How Epichloë and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi interact with wild barley under salt stress

Authors

  • Yufan Pang State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Centre for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
  • Jinchen Li State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Centre for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
  • Zhenjiang Chen State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Centre for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China
  • Chunjie Li State Key Laboratory of Herbage Improvement and Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Key Laboratory of Grassland Livestock Industry Innovation, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China College of Pastoral Agricultural Science and Technology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China Centre for Grassland Microbiome, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730020, China

Abstract

The symbiotic interactions between plants, endophytic fungi, and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) constitute a critical area of plant-microbe research. In many cool-season grass species, Epichloë endophytes and AMF can simultaneously establish mutualistic relationships with their hosts. The plant provides both habitat and a carbon resource for their fungal partners, while gaining enhanced abiotic and biotic stress tolerance via Epichloë-mediated mechanisms and improved nutrient acquisition and water uptake via AMF symbiosis. Previous studies have primarily focused on nutrient-dependent interactions between Epichloë and AMF, whereas environmental stresses such as salinity remain less explored, limiting our understanding of their synergistic potential in saline ecosystems.

This study investigated the combined effects of Epichloë bromicola, two AMF species (Glomus mosseae and G. claroideum) and a mixed AMF inoculum of both G. mosseae and G. claroideum (known as Gmix) associated with wild barley (Hordeum spontaneum) under salt stress. Epichloë-infected and Epichloë-free seeds of wild barley were inoculated with AMF treatments or maintained as non-mycorrhizal controls, then exposed to three concentrations (0 mM, 100 mM, 300 mM) of salt (NaCl). Plant growth parameters, nutrient content, and AMF colonization rates were evaluated through four harvests conducted at 7-day intervals over 28 days, with qPCR quantification of AMF biomass. The main findings were:

(1) The presence of E. bromicola significantly increased root biomass, root-to-shoot ratio and spikelet number of wild barley plants compared to the control under 300 mM salt stress, but the effect was weakened with time.

(2) Co-infection of wild barley plants with both E. bromicola, and the AMF treatments reduced sodium content, increased the potassium/sodium ratio and reduced salt stress toxicity. G. mosseae increased nitrogen content in aboveground plant organs, while G. claroideum and Gmix increased phosphorus content in the plant root system.

(3) In E. bromicola-infected wild barley plants, colonization by G. mossease and Gmix led to growth reductions in root biomass, root-to-shoot ratio and spikelet numbers indicating an antagonistic interaction between E. bromicola and G. mossease.

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Published

2025-12-04

How to Cite

Pang, Y., Li, J., Chen, Z., & Li, C. (2025). How Epichloë and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi interact with wild barley under salt stress. NZGA: Research and Practice Series, 18, 125. Retrieved from https://www.nzgajournal.org.nz/index.php/rps/article/view/3813

Issue

Vol. 18 (2025): Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium of Grass Microbial Endophytes

Section

R&P 18 Grass Microbial Endophytes 2025

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