Forage biomass,soil cover,stability and competition in perennial grass–legume pastures with different Paspalum species

The short life span, irregular forage production and susceptibility to weed colonization of cool‐season grass–legume pastures are serious problems in grazing dairy systems in warm‐temperate regions. The inclusion of warm‐season species has the potential to mitigate these problems. In this study, we evaluated the effect of the inclusion of two warm‐season grasses with different growth habits on seasonal forage biomass, soil cover and weed colonization. Three different pasture mixtures were evaluated under grazing: conventional pasture (CP) [tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea), white clover (Trifolium repens) and birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)], CP with Paspalum dilatatum and CP with Paspalum notatum (CP + Pn). Forage biomass and soil cover were sampled thirteen times during a 3‐year trial, and sampling times were grouped by season for the analyses. The mixtures with Paspalum showed higher soil cover in the autumn, while in the winter CP had higher soil cover than CP + Pn. Competition with tall fescue was similar between mixtures with Paspalum, when considering biomass, but it was higher in CP + Pn when considering soil cover. The inclusion of P. notatum increased biomass during the autumn but decreased the mixture performance during winter by reducing tall fescue soil cover. The addition of a warm‐season grass species with a moderate competing ability like P. dilatatum is likely to avoid a negative impact on the cool‐season component of the pasture.     

Mycoparasitic Trichoderma viride as a biocontrol agent against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. adzuki and Pythium arrhenomanes and as a growth promoter of soybean

Trichoderma viride was proved as an effective biocontrol agent against two fungal pathogens, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. adzuki and Pythium arrhenomanes, infecting soybean. During an in vitro biocontrol test, Trichoderma showed mycoparasitism and destructive control against the tested fungal pathogens. Both the pathogens significantly influence the germination and P. arrhenomanes had a severe effect (only 5% germination). The root system of the soybean plant was poorly developed due to the infection and it exerted a negative influence on the nodulation and further growth phases of the plant. During pot assay along with biocontrol activity, Trichoderma showed growth promoting action on the soybean plant. Trichoderma enhanced growth of shoot and root systems and fruit yield after 12 weeks of growth. Pythium and Fusarium infected plants treated with Trichoderma had ∼194% and 141% more height than pathogens alone. The fruit yield treated with Trichoderma was ∼66 per plant whereas the yield was only 41 for a control plant. The plants infected with Pythium and Fusarium and treated with Trichoderma had fruit yields of 43 and 53 respectively and those were 5 and 1.6 times higher than plants infected with pathogens.     

Anthraquinones and Their Analogues from Marine-Derived Fungi: Chemistry and Biological Activities

Anthraquinones are an interesting chemical class of polyketides since they not only exhibit a myriad of biological activities but also contribute to managing ecological roles. In this review article, we provide a current knowledge on the anthraquinoids reported from marine-derived fungi, isolated from various resources in both shallow waters such as mangrove plants and sediments of the mangrove habitat, coral reef, algae, sponges, and deep sea. This review also tentatively categorizes anthraquinone metabolites from the simplest to the most complicated scaffolds such as conjugated xanthone–anthraquinone derivatives and bianthraquinones, which have been isolated from marine-derived fungi, especially from the genera Apergillus, Penicillium, Eurotium, Altenaria, Fusarium, Stemphylium, Trichoderma, Acremonium, and other fungal strains. The present review, covering a range from 2000 to 2021, was elaborated through a comprehensive literature search using the following databases: ACS publications, Elsevier, Taylor and Francis, Wiley Online Library, MDPI, Springer, and Thieme. Thereupon, we have summarized and categorized 296 anthraquinones and their derivatives, some of which showed a variety of biological properties such as enzyme inhibition, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antitubercular (against Mycobacterium tuberculosis), cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, antifouling, and antioxidant activities. In addition, proposed biogenetic pathways of some anthraquinone derivatives are also discussed.     

Are more productive varieties of Paspalum dilatatum less tolerant to drought?

Paspalum dilatatum Poir., is a perennial C₄ grass widely distributed in the Argentinean Pampas. The response to water availability for materials developed with forage‐production purposes is unknown. We hypothesized that genetic differences between commercial varieties are reflected in their regrowth capacity under water stress. The effect of five levels of constant water supply on three plant varieties (two derived from apomictic materials: ‘Relincho’ and ‘Alonso’ and one from sexually‐derived material: ‘Primo’) were examined in the greenhouse. Leaf‐ and plant‐response traits were followed during 38 d after a single defoliation event. Seven response variables were measured: three of them were morphogenetic (leaf elongation rate, leaf appearance rate and leaf elongation duration) and four were structural (number of live leaves, lamina length, tiller biomass and tiller production). The sexual material showed higher values for growth variables than the apomictic varieties (leaf elongation rate, leaf length and tiller biomass) across the environmental range. Apomictic varieties showed a proportionally similar drought response to the sexual material for the seven variables. No intra‐specific trade‐off (statistical interaction) was found between growth under high water availability conditions and drought tolerance.     

顶孢霉菌代谢产物对玉米圆斑病菌生长和发育的影响

利用菌丝生长速率法和孢子萌发法研究顶孢霉代谢产物对玉米圆斑病菌生长的抑制能力。结果表明,顶孢霉发酵液对玉米圆斑病菌分生孢子萌发和菌丝生长均有抑制作用。菌丝生长速率测定表明,含有顶孢霉菌代谢产物的培养基（D+P）圆斑病菌菌丝的生长速率低于含有玉米圆斑病菌代谢产物的培养基（Y+P）和空白对照PDA的生长速率,菌丝生长速率分别为65.0、86.5、87.5 mm/d;以Y+P和PDA为对照,D+P对玉米圆斑病菌在第1天和第2天时抑制率最高,均达58%以上;在1 mL PDA体系中,顶孢霉发酵液添加量为0.5 mL时,抑制率可达100%,不同浓度处理间及其与对照处理间顶孢霉发酵液抑制率差异显著（P=0.05）;同一处理不同培养天数顶孢霉发酵液抑制率也有显著差异（P=0.05）。孢子萌发实验表明,经顶孢霉发酵液处理后的玉米圆斑孢子萌发率降低,在发酵液浓度为0.9 mL/mL时,萌发率仅为24%,抑制率可达66.67%, EC50约为68 mL/100 mL,且孢子经发酵液处理后产生畸形,不能正常发育。     

Variability in germination behaviour of Paspalum dilatatum Poir. seeds is genotype dependent

Dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) is a warm‐season grass, native to South America. Its adoption as a pasture crop has been hindered by low seed germination and slow establishment. However, variability in germination behaviour for this species has never been systematically analysed. For Paspalum spp., dry‐storage and moist cold or warm pre‐conditioning treatments have been reported as effective for the relief or breaking of seed dormancy. In the present work, seed germination responses at 32°C were assayed for sixteen P. dilatatum genotypes, representing its known natural genetic variability, to two moist pre‐conditioning treatments (at 5 and 20°C) and without pre‐conditioning, and three seed storage periods (0, 3 and 6 months). Pre‐conditioning at 20°C showed high germination percentages (>80%), with ratios equal to or higher than pre‐conditioning at 5°C, suggesting that cold is not required to break dormancy. Longer storage times resulted in increases in germination responses for most of the genotypes, while other biotypes showed no effect. Biotypes Virasoro and Chirú showed a remarkably different behaviour with higher germination percentages of untreated freshly harvested seeds. Our results show that diversity for traits involved in seed germination exists among naturally occurring P. dilatatum genotypes and the characterization of these traits should be addressed during ecotype characterization and evaluation of potential domesticates of this species.     

Leaf tissue fluxes of Pampa biome native grasses submitted to two grazing intervals

Leaf tissue fluxes of five Pampa biome grasses (Andropogon lateralis, Aristida laevis, Axonopus affinis, Paspalum notatum and Paspalum plicatulum) were evaluated in a natural pasture under rotational stocking with heifers in the spring and summer from October 2010 to April 2011. The experimental design was completely randomized, with two grazing intervals, defined by thermal sums of 375 and 750 degree‐days, and the five grass species. The evaluated species had a higher growth flux and balance between the fluxes when subjected to a grazing interval of 750 degree‐days and a higher real efficiency of utilization when subjected to grazing interval of 375 degree‐days. Andropogon lateralis showed the highest growth, intake and senescence fluxes: 3·61, 2·37 and 3·04 kg DM ha^?1 day^?1 respectively. Aristida laevis had the lowest real efficiency of utilization.     

Occurrence of endophytes in grasses native to northern China

A survey of grass species associated with Neotyphodium and Epichloë fungal endophytes was made in the permanent grasslands of northern China. A total of 41 grass species, 56 sites and 172 local populations were examined to reveal endophytic infection of native grasses. Twenty‐five of the forty‐one species of grasses (proportionately 0·61) were infected by endophytes: twenty‐two species had a mean infection rate of 0·01–0·50 and only three species had a mean infection >0·50. Of the 172 local populations examined, however, proportionately 0·72 were not infected, 0·181 had an infection rate of 0·01–0·50 and 0·099 had an infection rate of 0·51–1·00. Two genera of grasses, Cleistogenes and Koeleria, as well as twenty plant species, were previously unknown endophytic hosts in China. High infection rates (0·86–1·00) of plants of Achnatherum sibiricum were detected at all eleven sites studied. Other grasses in which high infection rates were found were Agropyron mongolicum, Roegneria turczaninovii, Agropyron elongate, Poa palustris and Poaangustifolia. It was concluded that endophytes are found widely in natural grass populations and that endophyte–grass interactions may have effects on ecosystems and livestock in the grasslands of northern China.     

Morphological and physiological responses and the recovery ability of Paspalum accessions to water deficit and waterlogging

Limited knowledge about the agronomic potential of Paspalum species from the Americas hinders their use in pastures. The response mechanisms to water deficit and waterlogging were studied in five accessions of Paspalum sp. (P. regnellii cv. BRS Guará and BGP 397, P. conspersum BGP 402 and P. malacophyllum BGP 289 and BGP 293) and Urochloa brizantha cv. Marandu. Morphological and physiological traits at the end of the stress and after the recovery period were measured. All Paspalum accessions, especially BGP 289, BGP 402 and BGP 397, and also cv. Marandu, showed survival mechanisms to water deficit. BRS Guará showed adaptive features to waterlogging, although had with a low survival rate to water deficit. Under waterlogging, BGP 289 and cv. Marandu showed reduced growth, and after the recovery period, they presented low plant survival and root recovery. Although growth of BGP 293 was reduced during waterlogging, it presented high tiller survival rate. BGP 293, BGP 402 and BGP 397 showed adaptive potential strategies for waterlogging and water deficit. There is genetic variability among the evaluated accessions for water deficit and waterlogging stresses, suggesting that they may be used per se or as progenitors in crosses with other genotypes in breeding programmes.     

Seedling recruitment dynamics of forage and weed species under continuous and rotational sheep grazing in a temperate New Zealand pasture

Understanding the grazing conditions under which plant populations are limited by seed availability (seed limitation) is important for devising management schemes that aim to manipulate the establishment of weed and forage species. Seeds of three weed species (Cirsium arvense, C. vulgare and Rumex obtusifolius) and five forage species (Lolium perenne, Lotus uliginosus syn. L. pedunculatus, Paspalum dilatatum, Plantago lanceolata and Trifolium repens) were broadcast sown into L. perenne–T. repens pastures in Manawatu, New Zealand and five sheep‐grazing and two slug‐grazing (with and without molluscicide) treatments were imposed in a split‐plot design. Of the five sheep‐grazing treatments, four compared continuous grazing with rotational grazing at intervals of 12, 24 and 36 d in spring, with all four grazed under a common rotation for the remainder of the year. The fifth treatment was continuous grazing all year. Seed sowing increased seedling emergence of C. vulgare, L. perenne, P. lanceolata, R. obtusifolius and T. repens under all sheep‐ and slug‐grazing treatments, with differences in seedling densities persisting for at least 21 months. Seed sowing did not increase seedling densities of C. arvense, L. uliginosus or P. dilatatum. The effects of sheep‐grazing management on seedling emergence and survival were uncoupled. For the five seed‐limited species, seedling emergence was greater on pastures that were rotationally grazed during spring compared with those that were continuously grazed. However, seedling survival was lower in pastures grazed rotationally during summer, autumn and winter, so that after 21 months seedling numbers were greater on plots that were continuously grazed all year. Exclusion of slugs increased seedling recruitment of T. repens but had no impact on the other species. As weed and forage species responded in a similar way to sheep‐grazing management (increased under continuous, decreased under rotational), it is unlikely that the goals of reducing weed invasions and enhancing forage species establishment could be carried out concurrently in established pastures with the same management.     

Fungal alkaloids in populations of endophyte-infected Festuca rubra subsp. pruinosa

Festuca rubra subsp. pruinosa is a grass that grows on coastal cliffs along the Atlantic coast of Europe. Asymptomatic plants of this species are systemically infected by the fungal endophyte Epichloë festucae. It is not known whether the alkaloids, ergovaline and peramine, are produced by the endophyte in F. rubra subsp. pruinosa. Plants from four populations were collected from the northern coast of Galicia (Spain) and examined for the presence of fungal endophytes. Ergovaline and peramine concentrations were analysed over two consecutive years, at two plant growth stages, and in different types of plant tissues. Infected plants of F. rubra subsp. pruinosa contained ergovaline but not peramine. Ergovaline was detected in 0·80 of the plants, with concentrations ranging from 0·05 to 1·9 μg g^?1 dry matter. The differences in ergovaline concentration between different types of plant tissues (vegetative and reproductive), plant populations and sampling dates were not statistically significant.     

Adaptability and productivity of some warm-season pasture species in a Mediterranean environment

Warm‐season grasses and legumes have the potential to provide forage throughout the Mediterranean summer when there are high temperatures and low rainfall and when cool‐season grasses become less productive. Twenty‐nine non‐native, warm‐season pasture species (twenty‐three grasses and six legumes) were assessed for their adaptability to the coastal plain of southern Italy in terms of their productivity and nutritional quality. The investigated species were compared with two reference species widely used in a Mediterranean environment: a grass (Festuca arundinacea) and a legume (Medicago sativa). The species differed in their phenological and biological characteristics, i.e. start of vegetative resumption, first flowering and cold resistance, from each other and from the control species. From the second year after establishment, warm‐season perennial grasses had high dry‐matter (DM) yields and, in many cases, a more than adequate nutritional quality. As for legumes, the control, M. sativa gave the best results in all the investigated characters. Among the grasses, seven species (Chloris gayana, Eragrostis curvula, Panicum coloratum, Paspalum dilatatum, Pennisetum clandestinum, Sorghum almum, Sorghum spp. hybrid) had DM yields greater than the control species and had their maximum growth during the hottest period of the year, when F. arundinacea, the control grass species, was dormant. Eragrostis curvula had the highest annual DM yield (21·1 t ha^?1) and P. clandestinum provided the best combination of agronomic and yield characteristics which were similar to those of M. sativa. The seven above‐mentioned species have the potential to supply hay or grazing and contribute to broadening and stabilizing the forage production calendar in Mediterranean‐type environments.     

THE DRY-MATTER PRODUCTION, BOTANICAL COMPOSITION, IN VITRO DIGESTIBILITY AND PROTEIN PERCENTAGE OF PASTURE LAYERS

Irrigated plots of a mixed sward of four grasses and white clover were cut to a height of 3 cm in either June, August, October, December or February. The plots cut at each commencement date were harvested when the height of growth of the pasture was either 10, 18, 25, 32, 40, 48 or 55 cm. At each harvest, the pasture was cut at 7 to 8 cm intervals down to a height of 3 cm. DM production, botanical composition, in vitro digestibility (DOM) and CP of each layer was determined. DM production declined from the lower to the upper layers for pastures shorter than 32 cm. For pastures taller than 32 cm, DM production declined from the lower to the middle layers, then increased in the upper layers, due mainly to the presence of seed heads. Maximum percentages of DOM and CP were observed for the middle layers of the pastures taller than 25 cm. For pastures shorter than 25 cm, DOM and CP percentages increased from the lower to the upper layers, for all commencement dates. The percentages of DOM and CP of each layer decreased as the height of growth increased. The percentage of DOM showed a positive correlation with the percentages of Lolium perenne, Bromus unioloides and Trifolium repens, and a negative correlation with the percentages of Paspalum dilatatum and chlorotic material. The percentage of CP showed a positive correlation with the percentages of Paspalum dilatatum, Dactylis glomerata and Trifolium repens and a negative correlation with the percentages of chlorotic material and the total of the four grasses within the pasture layers. The lower layers of the pasture produced large quantities of DM and, despite the lower in vitro digestibility of these layers, they produced more DOM than the other pasture layers. The DOM production of the pasture increased with increasing height of growth, but decreased as the commencement date was altered from winter through to the end of summer.     

Diurnal and seasonal patterns of leaf gas exchange in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge) growing in a subtropical climate

The objective of this study was to evaluate the seasonal and diurnal changes in leaf gas exchange in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum) plants grown in an irrigated lawn. Carbon dioxide assimilation, transpiration, stomatal conductance, leaf temperature and leaf‐to‐air vapour pressure difference were measured during the daylight period from April 2003 to March 2004. The monitored environmental variables were photosynthetic photon flux density, air temperature, air relative humidity, photoperiod and sunshine rate. Factor and cluster analyses were used to select variables and to group months with similar physiological and meteorological characteristics, and three distinct periods were identified: (i) May to July: with low energetic availability, low leaf temperatures and low photosynthetic activity; (ii) September to January: with high energetic availability, high leaf temperatures and high photosynthetic activity; and (iii) April–March–August: a transient period with environmental and physiological characteristics showing intermediate values. The reduced plant development and growth during the winter season was in accordance to the lower photosynthetic activity recorded from June to August, this variable being a potential indicator of reduced phytomass production. The relationships between leaf gas exchange and seasonal growth are discussed.     

Sowing date and nitrogen supply determine the outcome of competition between dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in the Pampas region of Argentina

The effects of sowing date and nitrogen (N) fertilizer on the inter‐specific competition between dallisgrass (Paspalum dilatatum Poir.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) in the humid Pampas of Argentina were investigated in two pot experiments where a constant soil moisture content was maintained. Tall fescue and dallisgrass seeds were sown either in the spring (October 2000) or in the autumn (March 2001) in mixed and mono‐specific stands with 0 or 100 kg N ha^?1. In the spring, competition from tall fescue depressed dry‐matter (DM) yield of dallisgrass from 1·53 to 0·36 g DM per plant and tiller number from 9·4 to 3·7 tillers per plant in mixed and in mono‐specific stands, respectively, while tall fescue had 3–4 times higher DM yields in mixed stands. Leaf extension rate (LER) of tall fescue was higher (1·3 mm d^?1) than that of dallisgrass (0·53 mm d^?1). In the autumn, inter‐specific competition did not affect DM yield of dallisgrass and N fertilizer increased DM yield from 0·53 to 2·07 g DM per plant, tiller number from 6·8 to 14·2 tillers per plant and LER at the beginning of autumn from 1·2 to 2·12 mm d^?1 in both species. As temperature decreased, LER was reduced in both species to 0·31 mm d^?1 by late autumn. The number of leaves per tiller was not affected by treatment. Nitrogen fertilizer increased N concentration of above‐ground tissues of both species (18 g kg^?1 DM in autumn and 20 g kg^?1 DM in spring). It was concluded that a productive mixed pasture of dallisgrass and tall fescue can be obtained by sowing early in the autumn. The application of N fertilizer in this season is essential to ensure a high herbage yield and quality.     

Effects of systemic fungal endophytes on the performance of meadow fescue and tall fescue in mixtures with red clover

A symbiosis between grasses and systemic fungal endophytes exists in both natural and agricultural grassland communities. Our objective was to examine the effects of systemic endophytes on the competitive ability of two agronomically important grass species: meadow fescue [Festuca pratensis (Huds.) syn. Schedonorus pratensis (Huds.) P. Beauv] and tall fescue [Festuca arundinacea (Schreb.) syn. Schedonorus phoenix (Scop.)]. Plants of meadow and tall fescue were grown for 48 days in replacement series of interspecific mixture with a legume (red clover, Trifolium pratense L.) in different nutrient environments in a greenhouse. Neither of the grass species gained endophyte‐promoted competitive advantage over red clover in grass–clover mixtures. Endophyte infection increased the growth of meadow fescue monocultures by 89% compared to endophyte‐free monocultures in high‐nutrient soils, but plant competition or the cost of endophyte infection to the meadow fescue decreased the yield in resource‐limited conditions. On average, endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free meadow fescues produced 0·15 and 0·17 g, and 0·14 and 0·14 g dry biomass per plant in mixtures with red clover in high‐ and low‐nutrient soils respectively. In contrast to meadow fescue, endophyte‐promoted growth of tall fescue monocultures was not detected. Endophyte‐infected and endophyte‐free tall fescue monocultures produced 0·76 and 0·95 g biomass per pot, respectively, in the high‐nutrient environment. Endophyte infection can increase the performance of the host grass, but the positive effects depend on the host species, the species composition and soil nutrient availability.     

“热研11号”黑籽雀稗植株再生体系的建立

以热带牧草"热研11号"黑籽雀稗(Paspalum atratum cv.Reyan No.11)种子为材料,对其外植体植株的再生过程进行系统研究.结果表明,以MS无机盐 9.0mg/L维生素B1 9.5mg/L维生素B6 4.5mg/L尼克酸 1.0mg/L水解酪蛋白 30.0g/L蔗糖 8.0g/L琼脂为基本成分(MSM),附加植物激素类物质2.0mg/L2,4-D时,适合种子的愈伤组织形成,愈伤诱导率可达65%:继代培养基附加1.0mg/L2,4-D和0.1mg/LKT:分化的培养基附加6.0mg/L6-BA,分化率可达50%;生根培养基附加0.5mg/L激素类物质NAA,生根率100%.完成植株再生约需13周.     

Identification,ecological evaluation and phylogenetic analysis of non‐symbiotic endophytic fungi colonizing timothy grass and perennial ryegrass grown in adjacent plots

Non‐systemic endophytes coexist with grasses and produce positive or negative effects for the host. In agricultural grasses, endophytes such as Epichloë spp. (formerly: Neotyphodium spp.) enhance the biometric parameters and agricultural value of grass biomass and seeds. Some endophytic fungi produce active substances that exert a negative influence on grass‐fed livestock. There is a general scarcity of studies investigating other endophytic fungi, the species composition of fungal communities, fungal species capable of colonizing different grasses and endophyte transfer between grass taxa. This study aims to fill in the existing knowledge gap by describing the relationships between fungal species and grass species. Timothy grass (Phleum pratense L.) is more readily colonized by endophytic fungi than perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.), and the ratio of fungi isolated from the above species was determined at 3:1. Ecological indicators, especially diversity, were also higher in the fungal community colonizing timothy grass. The vast majority of the isolated fungi were ascomycetes. In addition, two Basidiomycota isolates and three Oomycota isolates (Phythium acanthicum) were also obtained from timothy grass. The most prevalent fungal species were Alternaria alternata, Microdochium bolleyi and Epicoccum nigrum. An analysis of minisatellite DNA regions revealed high levels of genetic polymorphism in A. alternata, whereas the remaining isolates were characterized by low levels of genetic variation or genetic homogeneity. The transfer of endophytic fungi between grass species was determined, which was one of the most important observations made in the study. The Sørensen–Dice coefficient reached 50%, which indicates that all fungal species isolated from perennial ryegrass are capable of colonizing timothy grass.     

Fungal endophytes in grasses from semi-arid permanent grasslands of western Spain

Abstract A survey of grass species associated with Epichloë and Neotyphodium fungal endophytes was made in permanent semi‐arid grasslands of western Spain. Endophytes were isolated from 11 of 49 grass species analysed. Infected plants of Festuca arundinacea, Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata and Lolium perenne were detected at most locations studied. The grasses, Agrostis castellana, Brachypodium phoenicoides and Festuca ampla, are previously unknown endophyte hosts. The results obtained show that endophyte–grass interactions are present in the grasslands where this study was conducted.     

Germination response of endophytic Festuca rubra seeds in the presence of arsenic

Epichloë fungal endophytes colonize the intercellular space of aerial organs of their plant hosts without causing symptoms. These symbionts are known to improve the performance of their host grasses in some situations of biotic and abiotic stress, leading to the suggestion that they can be used to improve grass tolerance to contaminants. The grass Festuca rubra is a host of the endophyte Epichloë festucae. We used two half‐sib lines of F. rubra, each line composed of infected (E+) or endophyte‐free (E?) seeds, to study the effect of varying levels of arsenic (6, 12, 25, and 50 mg L^?1), and of the endophyte in seed germination and radicle growth. The results showed that seed germination was not significantly affected by arsenic (As) levels lower than 25 mg L^?1, indicating that this grass has a relatively high tolerance of As at the germination stage. The decrease in germination observed at 25 and 50 mg L^?1 was due to increased seed mortality and to the reversible inhibition of the germination of viable seeds caused by As. The presence of the endophyte did not change the germination response to arsenic of one line, but affected negatively the germination of the other line. In contrast to the process of germination, radicles of E+ seeds of both lines were longer than those of endophyte‐free seeds. The results of this work indicate that Epichloë endophytes can affect the performance of some F. rubra genotypes when As is present in the soil.