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No effects of Epichloë endophyte infection on nitrogen cycling in meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) grassland

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Abstract

Background and aims

Systemic Epichloë endophytes produce alkaloids that protect their grass hosts against pathogens and herbivores. These alkaloids, together with other endophyte induced changes in litter quality, may decelerate the decomposition of infected grass litter, but so far no study has tested whether the effects on decomposition rate translate into changes in N cycling in infected grasslands. Here we test if the Epichloë uncinata infection of meadow fescue, Schedonorus pratensis decelerates litter decomposition and N release, increases soil C and N accumulation and lowers the availability of mineral N in the soil under infected grass.

Methods

To analyze grass litter and soil attributes, samples were collected from endophyte infected (E+) and non-infected (E-) field plots, established seven years earlier. At the time of the study, the frequency of E+ plants was 80–90 % and 0–3 % in the E+ and E- plots, respectively. Litter decomposition rate and litter N release were examined using litter mesh bags, placed on field ground. Soil mineral N availability was estimated using ion exchange resin bags that were buried in the soil.

Results

Epichloë uncinata infection did not affect meadow fescue litter N%, litter mass loss or litter N release. Neither did soil C and N content and resin NH4 and NO3 contents differ between the E+ and E- grass plots. E+ litter did not decompose faster in E+ than E- plots, i.e. no home-field advantage was observed.

Conclusions

We did not find evidence that Epichloë uncinata infection would decelerate N cycling and reduce N mineralization in meadow fescue grasslands. This suggests that the infection may not decrease the benefit of the endophyte-grass symbiosis by reducing soil fertility.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Hillamari Lehikoinen, Serdar Dirihan and Tuija Koivisto for assisting with litter and resin bags, Merja Myllys for measuring soil temperatures and Viivi Toivio, Santeri Savolainen and Marianne Lehtonen for processing and analyzing the resin and litter samples. The study was supported by the Academy of Finland (grants no. 137909 and 281354) to Kari Saikkonen.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland

    Juha Mikola

  2. Section of Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Turku, 20014, Turku, Finland

    Marjo Helander

  3. Management and Production of Renewable Resources, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke), Itäinen Pitkäkatu 3, 20520, Turku, Finland

    Marjo Helander & Kari Saikkonen

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  1. Juha Mikola
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  2. Marjo Helander
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  3. Kari Saikkonen
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Correspondence to Juha Mikola.

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Responsible Editor: Jesus Mercado-Blanco.

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Mikola, J., Helander, M. & Saikkonen, K. No effects of Epichloë endophyte infection on nitrogen cycling in meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis) grassland. Plant Soil 405, 257–264 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-015-2711-2

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