Endophyte storage and seed germination of Epichloe - infected meadow fescue

Abstract

Meadow fescue (Festuca pratensis) is an important forage grass in Sweden and is commonly associated with the endophytic fungal symbiont Epichloe uncinata. In order to achieve high seed and endophyte viabilities, knowledge surrounding optimal seed storage conditions and germination behaviour of endophyte-infected grass seeds is required. In this study, seeds were divided into six weight classes with a subset exposed to an accelerated ageing (AA) regime to investigate the effects on germination and endophyte status. Non-AA seeds started to germinate two days earlier than AA seed and had higher final germination (82 and 64%, respectively). Heavier seeds had a higher final germination than lighter seeds, and for non-AA seeds, the heavier seeds also had the most rapid germination For non-AA seeds, the earliest germinating seeds had the highest percentage of viable endophyte, while all aged seeds lost endophyte viability. Seeds were stored in different packaging material and kept at different temperature and relative humidity conditions for up to 3.4 years. Seeds stored in paper bags in the freezer was the optimal method for preserving seed germination and endophyte viability.

Published in

Seed Science and Technology
2016, volume: 44, number: 1, pages: 138-155
Publisher: ISTA-INT SEED TESTING ASSOC

SLU Authors

• Bylin, Anja

  • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Huss-Danell, Kerstin

  • Department of Agricultural Research for Northern Sweden, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Microbiology

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.15258/sst.2016.44.1.21

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/79402