Allelopathic effects of volatile compounds from endophyte free and infected Achnatherum inebrians on Lolium perenne

The effects of the volatile oils from drunken horse grass infected (E+) and noninfected (E-) by Neotyphodium gansuense on germination and antioxidative enzyme activity involving superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) were determined. The germination experiment showed that the seed germination and POD activities of the perennial ryegrass under E- treatment were significantly (P0.05) higher than those under E+ treatment when the volatile oils concentration was greater than or equal to 300 mgmL-1. The inhibition effects increased with the concentration increase of volatile oils. However, the SOD activities of the perennial ryegrass under E- treatment were significantly (P0.05) lower than those under E+ treatment. In conclusion, endophyte infection can strengthen the allelopathic effect of the volatile oils.