We investigated the influence of fungal endophyte infection and below-ground insect herbivory on competition between dandelion (taraxacum officinale) and two cool-season perennial grasses, tall fescue and perennial ryegrass. Plants were maintained in the greenhouse and were cut regularly to simulate a managed grassland system. Plant growth patterns and biomass production were measured at each cutting. Here we report the results of competition between the perennial grasses and the forb as influenced by endophyte infection and feeding by larvae of the japanese beetle.
Species 1: Coleoptera Scarabaeidae Popillia japonica (Japanese beetle)
Keywords: multitrophic interactions
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