Abstract
Asexual species of the genus Epichloë (Clavicipitaceae, Ascomycota) form endosymbiotic associations with Pooidae grasses. This association is important both ecologically and to the pasture and turf industries, as the endophytic fungi confer a multitude of benefits to their host plant that improve competitive ability and performance such as growth promotion, abiotic stress tolerance, pest deterrence and increased host disease resistance. Biotic stress tolerance conferred by the production of bioprotective metabolites has a critical role in an industry context. While the known antimammalian and insecticidal toxins are well characterized due to their impact on livestock welfare, antimicrobial metabolites are less studied. Both pasture and turf grasses are challenged by many phytopathogenic diseases that result in significant economic losses and impact livestock health. Further investigations of Epichloë endophytes as natural biocontrol agents can be conducted on strains that are safe for animals. With the additional benefits of possessing host disease resistance, these strains would increase their commercial importance. Field reports have indicated that pasture grasses associated with Epichloë endophytes are superior in resisting fungal pathogens. However, only a few antifungal compounds have been identified and chemically characterized, and these from sexual (pathogenic) Epichloë species, rather than those utilized to enhance performance in turf and pasture industries. This review provides insight into the various strategies reported in identifying antifungal activity from Epichloë endophytes and, where described, the associated antifungal metabolites responsible for the activity.
Highlights
Pasture is one of the main food sources for livestock throughout the world
This review focuses on prospects for Epichloë endophytes providing host plant disease resistance, and discusses modern experimental data analysis techniques for bioprospecting of antifungal metabolites in novel Epichloë strains
The production of functional metabolites triggered by the association greatly benefits the host plant by conferring abiotic and biotic stress tolerances such as improved seedling vigour, persistence, and enhanced growth [13,18]
Summary
Pasture is one of the main food sources for livestock throughout the world. While pure pasture-based farming systems rely solely on pasture, mixed farming systems supplement with commodities such as cereals and grains. More consumers are shifting towards “grassfed” livestock produce, as it caters for both increasing global food demands and social concerns for animal-welfare [1,2]. With changing climates and evolving pest and pathogen pressures, pasture and turf grasses are threatened by abiotic and biotic stresses with increasing severity [5,7–9]. It has long been known that Epichloë fungi of the family Clavicipitaceae, associated with. Microorganisms 2022, 10, 64 tall fescue), improve host plant abiotic and biotic stress tolerance by producing bioactive metabolites [9–12]. There is a requirement for an increase in applied research into Epichloë endophyte-derived bioactive metabolites to improve host grass performance and stress tolerance. This review focuses on prospects for Epichloë endophytes providing host plant disease resistance, and discusses modern experimental data analysis techniques for bioprospecting of antifungal metabolites in novel Epichloë strains
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