Skip to main content
ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #137125
Title: BELOWGROUND RESPONSES TO TALL FESCUE ENDOPHYTE INFECTION

Author
item Franzluebbers, Alan
item Jenkins, Michael
item ZUBERER, D - TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY
item HILL, N - UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Submitted to: USDA Symposium on Natural Resource Management to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/20/2002
Publication Date: 11/20/2002
Citation: Franzluebbers, A.J., Jenkins, M., Zuberer, D.A., Hill, N.S. 2002. Belowground responses to tall fescue endophyte infection. USDA Symposium on Natural Resource Management to Offset Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Endophyte infection of tall fescue has been shown to enhance soil organic carbon accumulation. However, the mechanisms for how this might occur have yet to be determined. We conducted controlled short-term incubations of tall fescue with and without endophyte infection to detect changes in decomposition of leaf tissue, fate of alkaloids during decomposition, water-stable aggregation, soil microbial biomass carbon, and microbial community structure. Relationships among soil physical, chemical, and biological properties as a function of endophyte infection will be discussed to describe the short-term impact of endophyte infection on the processes of decomposition, transformation, and stabilization of soil organic carbon and nitrogen.