Abstract

BENAVENTE, Cecilia A.; KURINA-SANZ, Marcela  and  LUGO, Mónica A.. Mycophyllas, fungal endophytes and alkaloids in populations of Melica stuckertii (Poaceae) from central Argentina. Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. [online]. 2008, vol.43, n.3-4, pp.189-195. ISSN 1851-2372.

Poaceae stems are usually associated with Ascomycetes (Balansieae) forming symbiotic associations named mycophyllas. Grasses can not produce alkaloids by itself instead they have to be associated to fungal symbiont to yield them. Melica stuckertii is a native and widespread grass. The aims of this work were to study three M. stuckertii population from San Luis province (Argentina) taking into account frequency of colonization and alkaloids production. Fungal endophytes were isolated from axenic plantlets obtained from cariopses, and then they were cultured in solid potatoe glucose agar for taxonomic analysis. Alkaloids were found in axenic and field plants but not in fungal liquid culture. Among the studied grass population, frequency of colonization was of 100% suggesting the high performance of association. Fungal endophyte was identified as Neotyphodium sp. Alkaloids were produced only into the mycophylla and its biosynthesis could be synergical between host-fungus.

Keywords : Endophytes; Neotyphodium; Central Argentine; Semiarid grasslands; Alkaloids; Melica stuckertii.

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