Effects of cadmium on growth parameters of endophyte‐infected endophyte‐free ryegrass

Abstract

Abstract A greenhouse hydroponic experiment was conducted to study the effects of cadmium (Cd) on growth parameters of endophyte‐infected (EI) and endophyte‐free (EF) perennial ryegrass. The results showed that Cd stress (0.18 mM Cd) affected all measured plant parameters, regardless of whether they were endophyte‐infected or endophyte‐free. Endophyte infection enhanced tillering ability and reduced leaf elongation under conditions of Cd stress. Endophyte infection tended to reduce leaf and leaf‐sheath biomass of control plants (0 Cd), but tended to alleviate the detrimental effects of Cd regarding shoot biomass. As far as net–photosynthetic rate and maximal photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm ratio) were concerned, no difference was observed between EI and EF leaves. Like other grasses, perennial ryegrass can accumulate Cd, and Cd concentrations in different organs were in the following order: root > sheath > leaf. Endophyte‐infected ryegrass accumulated more Cd than EF ryegrass, especially in the shoots.