U.S.-New Zealand Cooperative Research: Diversity and Evolution of Grass Mycosymbionts

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Title: U.S.-New Zealand Cooperative Research: Diversity and Evolution of Grass Mycosymbionts This award supports a long-term visit by Dr. Christopher L. Schardl of the University of Kentucky to the laboratories of Professor David Berry Scott at Massey University and Dr. G. C. M. Latch at the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) both located in Palmerston North, New Zealand. The objectives of the research visit are to elucidate the processes of endophyte evolution as related to host species and geographical locale, and to determine whether the sequence-based phylogeny relates to biological characteristics such as morphology, host range and alkaloid profiles of the endophytes. The study will make use of the collections of grass-endophyte association at Palmerston North. The host collaborators have extensive research experience with endophytes (Latch) and molecular plant-microbe interactions (Scott). Dr. Schardl will explore coevolutionary relationships among fungi and grasses using the tools of molecular systematics. The mycosymbionts are stably maintained for many host generations through seed dissemination. The ecological and agricultural importance of these mycosymbionts stem from the benefits they confer to their hosts, including herbivore resistance and drought tolerance.