Fungal endophytes from seeds of invasive, non-native Phragmites australis and their potential role in germination and seedling growth

Zackery R. C. Shearin; Matthew Filipek; Rushvi Desai; Wesley A. Bickford; Kurt P. Kowalski; Keith Clay

doi:10.1007/s11104-017-3241-x

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Fungal endophytes from seeds of invasive, non-native Phragmites australis and their potential role in germination and seedling growth

Zackery R. C. Shearin·Matthew Filipek·Rushvi Desai·Wesley A. Bickford·Kurt P. Kowalski·Keith Clay

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Abstract

Background and aims We characterized fungal endophytes of seeds of invasive, non-native Phragmites from three sites in the Great Lakes region to determine if fungal symbiosis could contribute to invasiveness through their effects on seed germination and seedling growth. Methods Field-collected seeds were surface sterilized and plated on agar to culture endophytes for ITS sequencing. Prevalence of specific endophytes from germinated and non-germinated seeds, and from seedlings, was compared. Results One-third of 740 seeds yielded endophyte isolates. Fifteen taxa were identified with Alternaria sp. representing 54% of all isolates followed by Phoma sp. (21%) and Penicillium corylophilum (12%). Overall germination of seeds producing an isolate (36%) was significantly higher than seeds not producing an isolate (20%). Penicillium in particular was strongly associated with increased germination of seeds from one site. Sixty-three isolates and 11 taxa were also obtained from 30 seedlings where Phoma , Penicillium and Alternaria respectively were most prevalent. There was a significant effect of isolating an endophyte from the seed on seedling growth. Conclusions These results suggest that many endophyte taxa are transmitted in seeds and can increase seed germination and seedling growth of invasive Phragmites . The role of fungal endophytes in host establishment, growth and invasiveness in nature requires further research.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 38.405182° to 48.190975° latitude; -90.41562° to -80.518991° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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Zackery R. C. Shearin, Matthew Filipek, Rushvi Desai, Wesley A. Bickford, Kurt P. Kowalski, Keith Clay. 2017-04-01. Fungal endophytes from seeds of invasive, non-native Phragmites australis and their potential role in germination and seedling growth. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-017-3241-x

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