Abstract
The introduction of well-adapted species, such as Trifolium subterraneum (subclover) and Poa pratensis (Kentucky bluegrass), might enhance the forage yield and quality of dehesa pastures for feeding livestock. However, the climatic hardness and poor soils in these agrosystems may limit plant establishment and development. Since fungal endophytes have been found to alleviate the environmental stresses of their host, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of five isolates on forage yield, nutritive value, and plant mineral uptake after their inoculation in the two abovementioned plant species. Two experiments were established (under greenhouse and field conditions) using plants inoculated with two isolates in 2012/2013 (Epicoccum nigrum, Sporormiella intermedia) and three isolates in 2013/2014 (Mucor hiemalis, Fusarium equiseti, Byssochlamys spectabilis). Fusarium equiseti (E346) increased the herbage yield of T. subterraneum under greenhouse conditions, and B. spectabilis improved the forage quality of T. subterraneum by reducing fiber content and of P. pratensis by increasing crude protein. S. intermedia increased the mineral uptake of Ca, Cu, Mn, Pb, Tl, and Zn in subclover, and M. hiemalis increased the uptake of K and Sr in Kentucky bluegrass. These results evidence the potential of the studied fungal endophytes to enhance herbage yield and nutritional value of forage, although further studies should include all of the target forage species as certain host specificity in the effect was observed.
Highlights
Dehesas are Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral systems located mainly in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, characterized by a steadiness between production and conservation (Moreno and Pulido 2009; Simón et al 2013).Section editor: Marc StadlerExtensive livestock grazing is usually the main activity, and it plays a key role in the system by increasing forage yield and biodiversity of pastures (Pinto-Correia et al 2011; López-Sánchez et al 2016)
The introduction of well-adapted species that can increase forage yield and improve the nutritive value of the herbage, might be a good strategy to cope with, or alleviate, this feeding deficiency. These introductions have been performed by using forage species of grasses and/or leguminous crops, such as Poa pratensis L. (P. pratensis, Poaceae, Poales, Kentucky bluegrass) and Trifolium subterraneum L. (T. subterraneum, Fabaceae, Fabales, subterranean clover), 1 3 Vol.:(0123456789)
In order to find a wider number of fungal endophytes with positive effects on the general performance of plant hosts and at the same time to evaluate the specificity of these eventual effects, the objective of the present study was to assess the effect of artificial inoculation with each of five different species of non-clavicipitaceous endophytes on forage yield, quality traits, and nutrient uptake on two important and not very taxonomically related forage crops, i.e., a leguminous species (T. subterraneum) and a gramineous species (P. pratensis)
Summary
Dehesas are Mediterranean agrosilvopastoral systems located mainly in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula, characterized by a steadiness between production and conservation (Moreno and Pulido 2009; Simón et al 2013).Section editor: Marc StadlerExtensive livestock grazing is usually the main activity, and it plays a key role in the system by increasing forage yield and biodiversity of pastures (Pinto-Correia et al 2011; López-Sánchez et al 2016). Dehesa productivity is frequently limited due to the harshness of the climate and the low quality of the soil (Olea and San Miguel-Ayanz 2006; Schnabel et al 2013) In this context, forage provided by natural grasslands may not be sufficient to satisfy the nutritional requirements of livestock in terms of quantity and quality. Forage provided by natural grasslands may not be sufficient to satisfy the nutritional requirements of livestock in terms of quantity and quality Under these conditions, the introduction (or, at least, the enhancement) of well-adapted species that can increase forage yield and improve the nutritive value of the herbage, might be a good strategy to cope with, or alleviate, this feeding deficiency. These introductions have been performed by using forage species of grasses and/or leguminous crops, such as Poa pratensis L. (P. pratensis, Poaceae, Poales, Kentucky bluegrass) and Trifolium subterraneum L. (T. subterraneum, Fabaceae, Fabales, subterranean clover),
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