title: Advances in Research on Epichloë endophytes in Chinese Native Grasses.
abstract: Epichloë fungal endophytes are broadly found in cool-season grasses. The symbiosis between these grasses and Epichloë may improve the abiotic and biotic resistance of the grass plant, but some Epichloë species produce alkaloids that are toxic for livestock. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of the grass-Epichloë s symbiosis so that the beneficial aspects can be preserved and the toxic effects to livestock can be avoided. Since the 1990s, Chinese researchers have conducted a series of studies on grass-Epichloë symbiosis. In this review, we describe the current state of Epichloë endophyte research in Chinese native grasses. We found that more than 77 species of native grasses in China are associated with Epichloë endophytes. In addition, we review the effects of various Epichloë species on native grass responses to abiotic and biotic stress, phylogeny, and alkaloid production. We provide an overview of the study of Epichloë species on native grasses in China and directions for future research.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Hui
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Zhibiao
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Nan
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qiuyan
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Xia
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiuzhang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Xiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yao
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Wenbo
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kuang
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Pei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems, College of Pastoral Agriculture Science and Technology, Lanzhou University Lanzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qingping
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhang
keywords: Chinese native grass; Epichloë endophyte; Epichloë phylogeny; alkaloid; grass stress response; grass-Epichloë symbiosis