Effect of Epichloë typhina fungal endophyte on the diversity and incidence of other fungi in Puccinellia distans wild grass seeds

Abstract Fungus Epichloe typhina (Clavicipitaceae, Ascomycota) has been previously reported to bring to its host grasses protection against other fungi that are pathogenic. However, very little is known about the influence of Epichloe endophyte presence in seeds on other seed-borne fungi. The incidence and diversity of fungi in Puccinellia distans seeds infected E(+) and uninfected E(−) with the E. typhina endophyte was investigated. Seventeen fungal taxa associated with P. distans seeds were identified. There was a significant difference between the number of seeds colonized by other fungi in the E(+) and E(−) seed groups, suggesting that the presence of the Epichloe endophyte may influence the occurrence of other fungi. The species frequently occurring in E(−) seeds included Aspergillus flavus, Chaetomium nigricolor and Rhizopus nigricans . These species were only sporadically observed in E(+) seeds. Only three species were present in both E(+) and E(−) seeds: Alternaria alternata , C. nigricolor and Cladosporium cladosporioides. The fungi identified in this study are widespread and ecologically diverse. Most of the identified taxa have previously been reported to be associated with either grass seeds or seeds of different plant species. Nonetheless, this study is the first to consider the status of the endophyte presence in the analyzed seeds.