Endophytic fungal communities of Bromus tectorum: Mutualisms, community assemblages and implications for invasion

Abstract

Exotic plant invasions are of serious economic, social and ecological concern worldwide. Although many promising hypotheses have been posited in attempt to explain the mechanism(s) by which plant invaders are successful, there is no single explanation for all invasions and often no single explanation for the success of an individual species. Cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum), an annual grass native to Eurasia, is an aggressive invader throughout the United States and Canada. Because it can alter fire regimes, cheatgrass is especially problematic in the sagebrush steppe of western North America. Its preadaptation to invaded climates, ability to alter community dynamics and ability to compete as a mycorrhizal or non-mycorrhizal plant may contribute to its success as an invader. However, its success is likely influenced by a variety of other mechanisms including symbiotic associations with endophytic fungi. Cheatgrass populations were sampled across North America and endophytes were isolated from collected plant tissue. Isolation efforts revealed that cheatgrass hosts a high diversity of endophytic fungi.

Citation

Baynes, Melissa A. 2011. Endophytic fungal communities of Bromus tectorum: Mutualisms, community assemblages and implications for invasion. Boise, ID: University of Idaho. p. 103. Thesis.