Effect of salinity and fungal endophytes on the yield and nitrogen content of Festuca rubra

Resumen del trabajo presentado en el 19th General Meeting of the European Grassland Federation. Multi-function Grasslands. Quality Forages, Animal Products and Landscapes, celebrado en Versalles (Francia), en abril de 2002A greenhouse experiment was conducted to examine the effect of salinity and fungal endophyte infection on herbage yield and nitro gen (N) content in Festuca rubra subsp. rubra and subsp. pruinosa. Infected and non infected plants were planted in pots with an acid soil. Three different NaCllevels were used to water the plants. Analysis ofvariance reveaJed a significant effect (P<O.Ol) of grass subspecies and salt level on herbage yield. F. rubra subsp. pruinosa had a higher yield than F. rubra subsp. rubra. Salinity treatments negativeJy affected herbage yield. However, F. rubra subsp. pruinosa showed a greater tolerance to salinity. Nitrogen contents were significantly greater (P