Endophytic Fungi in Propiconazole-Treated and Untreated Barley Leaves

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Abstract
The presence of endophytic fungi in the second leaf below the shoot apex from field-grown barley was investigated after surface sterilizing the leaves. Half of the eight experimental plots were sprayed with the systemic fungicide propiconazolc and changes in the fungal population recorded. Green leaf area and yield parameters were measured to draw conclusions about the significance of endophytic fungi on grain yield. Alternaria spp. (55% of all isolates) and Didymella phleina (20%) were isolated most frequently while Stemphylium botryosum, Epicoccum purpurascens and Cladosporium spp. were often abundant. In propiconazole-treated plots significantly fewer isolates of D. phleina, Alternaria and Cladosporium were obtained, the decline of green leaf area was retarded and grain yield was higher. There was no evidence that one of the frequently found saprobes had accelerated senescence. Therefore, the control of D. phleina or cytokinin-like properties of propiconazole equally may have contributed to a yield increase in sprayed plots. The persistence of endophytic fungi in barley leaves seemed to be low and most dependent on climatic conditions and the presence of external inoculum.