AUTHOR=Liu Hui , Tang Huimin , Ni Xiaozhen , Zhang Yajie , Wang Yingchao 

TITLE=Interactive Effects of Epichloë Endophytes and Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Saline-Alkali Stress Tolerance in Tall Fescue

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2022.855890

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2022.855890

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><italic>Epichloë</italic> endophytes and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMFs) are two important symbiotic microorganisms of tall fescue (<italic>Lolium arundinaceum</italic>). Our research explores the combined effects of endophytes and AMF on saline-alkali stress. The finding revealed that a significant interaction between <italic>Epichloë</italic> endophytes and AMF, and saline-alkali stress occurred in the growth and physiological parameters of tall fescue. Endophyte infection significantly enhanced tall fescue resistance to saline-alkali stress by increasing shoot and root biomass and nutrient uptake (organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus concentration), and accumulating K<sup>+</sup> while decreasing Na<sup>+</sup> concentration. Furthermore, the beneficial effect of endophytes was enhanced by the beneficial AMF, <italic>Claroideoglomus etunicatum</italic> (CE) but was reduced by the detrimental AMF, <italic>Funneliformis mosseae</italic> (FM). Our findings highlight the importance of interactions among multiple microorganisms for plant performance under saline-alkali stress.</p>