Role of foliar fungal endophytes in litter decomposition among species and population origins

Litter decomposition is a key ecosystem process which returns nutrients from dead plant material to mineral forms in the soil. We examined whether systemic fungal endophytes modulate recycling of nutrients directly by altering litter decomposition. We studied litter decomposition mediated by Epichloë endophytes in litter-bag experiments. We examined direct endophyte effects on litter decomposition in wild populations and cultivars of Schedonorus phoenix and Schedonorus pratensis. In the first experiment, endophyte presence tended to increase litter decomposition rate in cultivars of the two grass species (S. phoenix and S. pratensis). However, in the second experiment plant origin had a stronger influence than endophyte symbiosis in S. phoenix. Interestingly, the initial level of alkaloids was associated positively with decomposition in S. phoenix populations. Characteristics associated with litter quality were not clearly related to either endophytes or decomposition rate. Our results suggest that endophytes can enhance litter breakdown but their role in nutrient cycling is far more complex depending on plant population origin.Fil: Gundel, Pedro Emilio. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Parque Centenario. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Agronomía. Instituto de Investigaciones Fisiológicas y Ecológicas Vinculadas a la Agricultura; ArgentinaFil: Helander, M.. University of Turku; Finlandia. Natural Resources Institute Finland; FinlandiaFil: Garibaldi, Lucas Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Norte; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rio Negro. Sede Andina; ArgentinaFil: Vázquez de Aldana, B. R.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Zabalgogeazcoa, I.. Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas; España. Instituto de Recursos Naturales y Agrobiología de Salamanca; EspañaFil: Saikkonen, K.. Natural Resources Institute Finland; Finlandi