Endophyte infection levels of native and naturalized fescues in Illinois and England

Fungal endophytes are thought to play a major role in the ecology of many c ool-season grasses. However, the frequency of endophyte infection in the wi ld remains poorly known. populations of wild fescues were tested for system ic fungal endophyte infection by taking samples from four native or natural ized species throughout southern Illinois (Festuca arundinacea, F. rubra, F . obtusa, and F. paradoxa), and one of these species (F. arundinacea) from native populations in England. The two grasses native to southern Illinois (F. obtusa and F. paradoxa) were highly infected (mean infection of 91 % an d 100 %, respectively). The introduced grass F. rubra was uninfected. Festu ca arundinacea showed variable levels of infection among populations in bot h southern Illinois and England (71 % and 64 %, respectively). The role of endophytes in natural systems is contingent upon infection levels that appe ar to vary widely among these four species. Furthermore, the use of agricul tural cultivars may differentially affect infection levels of naturalized p lants.