Climate change effects on biomass and greenhouse gas emissions are ameliorated by nontoxic endophytes in southeastern USA transition zone tall fescue pastures

Abstract

Background: The plant–microbe interaction between tall fescue and its endophyte Epichloë coenophiala can affect ecosystem responses to changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures. Endophyte-infected (E+) stands often exhibit improved stress tolerance and differing soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to endophyte-free (E−) stands. However, it is unknown if mammalian nontoxic endophyte (NTE) strains introduced into some tall fescue cultivars confer differing stress tolerances or reduce soil GHG emissions.

Methods: We quantified the impact of fescue-NTE symbioses in Jesup and Texoma on biomass and GHG emissions in response to increased temperature (+3°C) and altered precipitation (50% lengthened interval between events) using a factorial design in the United States southeastern transition zone over 2 consecutive years (2016–2017).

Results: Endophyte infection increased aboveground biomass 24% across years, whereas heat decreased aboveground biomass 17% across tall fescue cultivars and years. Endophyte infection reduced CO₂ emissions under both ambient (for Jesup) and heated conditions (for Texoma), but endophyte infection also increased NH₃ volatilization for Texoma (no effect for Jesup), especially under the hottest and driest treatment.

Conclusions: Fescue-NTE symbioses may improve pasture resiliency with projected climate change for the study region.

Keywords

climate change / Epichloë coenophiala / greenhouse gas emissions / nontoxic endophytes / tall fescue

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