Ryegrass endophyte: host/fungus interaction

This paper provides a brief introduction to the biology of endophyte-ryegrass associations and summarises results of our recent research into the interactions between host and endophyte. Specific topics include: (i) interactions between fungus and plant necessary for their successful association, (ii) the levels of biological activity of endophyte hyphae in the plant, and (iii) the potential of endophyte- ryegrass associations to protect themselves against accumulation of detrimental mutations in the endophyte and to benefit from beneficial mutations in the endophyte. Keywords: clonal selection, compatibility, endophyte-plant interaction, endophyte metabolism, endophyte-plant signalling, evolution, mutation, Neotyphodium, reporter gene, synchronous growth