Abstract
'Grasslands Flecha' tall fescue exhibits a partial degree of endogenous summer dormancy, a trait that contributes to plant survival during the long, dry summers of Mediterranean regions. Little is understood of the physiological mechanisms involved in summer survival of summer-dormant fescues and the possible role of endophytes. The influence of infection by endophyte strain AR542 in enhancing summer survival in ungrazed field plots and dehydration survival in greenhouse pots was investigated. Tiller population counts from mid-summer drought and autumn recovery showed no significant endophyte effect on survival. Results from the pot trial showed no differences between endophyte-free and endophyte-infected populations for rate of leaf dry-down, tiller-base water content, membrane leakage, or percentage tiller survival. Endophyte-free Flecha exhibited excellent summer survival, suggesting that endophyte infection may not be as critical for stand survival in summer dormant fescues as it is in summer active types. Infecting Flecha with novel endophytes may provide additional insurance against biotic stresses, thereby offering greater overall fitness across a range of environments. Keywords: drought, tall fescue, tiller survival, membrane damage, senescence
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