Effects of Achnatherum inebrians/Neotyphodium endophyte symbiont on seed germination of Stipa capillata and Poa sphondylodes

Achnatherum inebrians, an intoxicating grass growing at native grassland in Northwestern China, companioning with Stipa capillata and Poa sphondylodes were selected is to study the allelopathy effect of A. inebrians on two recipient plants by bioassay. The results indicated that the water extraction of the endophyte infected (E+) A. inebrians displayed the significant inhibiting effects on the seed germination and seedling growth of two recipient plants (P0.05), and the inhibiting effects became greater with the increasing of the concentration. The water extraction of the endophyte free (E-) A. inebrians had no significant effects on the seed germination (P0.05), the concentration of 0.20 g/mL showed the inhibiting effects on the seedling growth (P0.05). In summary, the water extraction of endophyte infected (E+) A. inebrians had significant antagonism on S. capillata and P. sphondylodes, and in contrast, the endophyte free (E-) A. inebrians had no significant effects on the other two grasses.