Relationships between nutrient content and antioxidant capacity in Lolium perenne plants associated with Epichloë endophytes

Abstract

Perennial ryegrass (Loliumperenne) is one of the most important forage and turf grasses in the world. This grass is often infected by Epichloëendophytes and in natural populations phenotypic and genotypic diversity is found among fungal isolates. Although Epichloëendophytes are only present in aerial parts, they can alter belowground components and processes of the grass host. To determine the effect of Epichloë endophytes on nutrient and antioxidant capacity of Lolium perenne plants, in a very diverse set of plants obtained from natural populations. To know whether the antioxidant capacity is related to nutrient content of L. perenne.