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Establishing Fungal Entomopathogens as Endophytes: Towards Endophytic Biological Control
Published on: April 11, 2013
Epichloë Fungal Endophytes and Plant Defenses: Not Just Alkaloids
Daniel A Bastias1, M Alejandra Martínez-Ghersa1, Carlos L Ballaré2
1IFEVA, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Av. San Martín 4453 Buenos Aires, C1417DSE Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Abstract:
Although the role of fungal alkaloids in protecting grasses associated with Epichloë fungal endophytes has been extensively documented, the effects of the symbiont on the host plant's immune responses have received little attention. We propose that, in addition to producing protective alkaloids, endophytes enhance plant immunity against chewing insects by promoting endogenous defense responses mediated by the jasmonic acid (JA) pathway. We advance a model that integrates this dual effect of endophytes on plant defenses and test its predictions by means of a standard meta-analysis. This analysis supports a role of Epichloë endophytes in boosting JA-mediated plant defenses. We discuss the ecological scenarios where this effect of endophytes on plant defenses would be most beneficial for increasing plant fitness.
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