The impact of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) endophyte (Neotyphodium spp) on nontarget soil nematodes

Abstract

Nontarget effects of Neotyphodium endophyte infection in fieldsown tall fescue were studied as a model for investigating nontarget effects of geneticallymodified plants Two strains of Neotyphodium endophyte (AR501 and AR542) in tall fescue at a site near Palmerston North (Aorangi) and one strain (AR501) at a site near Lincoln were sampled in March and April 2002 respectively The only consistent effect of either endophyte strain on nematode abundance was an increase of large omnivorous nematodes beneath AR501 tall fescue at both sites This was reflected in omnivorous nematodes constituting a significantly greater proportion of the nematode fauna over the two sites The nematode results show that relatively minor effects on this component of soil biota were observed as a result of plant changes associated with endophyteinfection even after longterm growth in field plots