Soil biota associated with endophyteinfected tall fescue in the field

Abstract

Invertebrates present in soil samples taken from plots of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) infected with two nontoxic strains of Neotyphodium endophyte (AR501 and AR542) at Aorangi near Palmerston North and one strain (AR501) at Lincoln in Canterbury together with endophytefree controls at both sites were determined in autumn 2002 Roots taken from these samples were stained and checked for the presence of arbuscular mycorrhiza At Lincoln numbers of root aphid (Aploneura lentisci) associated with plants infected with AR501 were significantly less than those on endophytefree plants while grass grub numbers (Costelytra zealandica) did not differ between treatments Beneficial invertebrates Collembola mites and earthworms were not affected by endophyte at either site and neither was colonisation of roots by mycorrhiza