A NEW GROUP OF ENDOPHYTES IN EUROPEAN GRASSES

Poaceae of subfamily Festucoideae frequently harbour endophytic, symbi otic fungi in their aerial parts. Isolations were made from 21 differe nt species of Poaceae, belonging mainly to the genera Lolium and Festu ca. Pure cultures of 45 fungal isolates were obtained. Morphology, iso zyme and molecular analysis showed the presence of three groups of end ophytes. Most of the isolates could be accommodated with the previousl y described species of Neotyphodium and Epichloe (the e-endophytes). T wo new endophytes isolated from Koeleria cristata and Melica ciliata w ere shown to belong to this group. Gliocladium-like and Phialophora-li ke isolates were obtained from Lolium perenne and Festuca gigantea res pectively (the p-endophytes). Nine isolates especially those from annu al Lolium produced rod-like conidia. These isolates belong to Acremoni um sensu stricto and are morphologically similar to Acremonium chilens e.