Research progress on Hordeum-Epichloë symbiosis

Most plants of the genus Hordeum form excellent pastures and are important food crops. It is well known that endophytic fungi live inside the plant. In this paper, all endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Epichloë were investigated. Endophytes inhabit above-ground plant tissues without causing disease symptoms. They can improve the host's ability to deal with biotic stress and abiotic stress. It is of great ecological and economic value to study the endophytic fungi symbionts of Hordeum. This article reviews the research progress in the study of the symbiotic endophytic fungi in Hordeum plants in China and abroad. It is believed that the reasons affecting the content of alkaloids and rate of infection are not clear, and the utilization of symbiosis is not sufficient. This paper aims to provide guidance for the research and utilization of the symbiosis for the future.