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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #163124
Title: THE INTRINSIC ASSOCIATION OF SYSTEMIC ENDOPHYTES WITH BOUTELOUA ERIOPODA TORR. AND ATRIPLEX CANESCENS (PURSH) NUTT. OF THE NORTHERN CHIHUAHUAN DESERT

Author
item Barrow, Jerry
item OSUNA, PEDRO - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV
item REYES, ISAAC - NEW MEXICO STATE UNIV

Submitted to: Studies in Mycology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/13/2004
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: A unique symbiotic association of fungi with native plants was microscopically studied using staining methods that targeted fungal cells in plant roots. Fungi associated with native plants were also found in cell cultures and in plants regenerated from these cultures. The roles of these fungi were determined to assist plants in nutrition and forming a protective shield against extreme environmental conditions such as drought.

Technical Abstract: DSE fungi are the dominant and ubiquitous symbiotic associates of native grasses and shrubs of the northern Chihuahuan Desert. Dual histochemical staining and analysis by light and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the nature and extent of colonization of native and micro-propagated plants Atriplex canescens (Pursh) Nutt. and Bouteloua eriopoda Torr., important components of arid southwestern rangelands. Aspergillus ustus, a DSE endophyte, was common to native plants of both species. It was also intrinsically allied with native plants and was transferred to micro-propagated plants regenerated from shoot meristem cells of naturally produced seeds. A. ustus forms a protective interface on cells in culture, micro-propagated and native plants shielding them from external stresses and enhances the acquisition of plant-unavailable phosphorus from calcareous desert soils. The integrated plant/fungus association results in a composite organism adapted to harsh, arid conditions and is similar to the lichen model of symbiosis.