Foliar fungal endophyte communities are structured by environment but not host ecotype in Panicum virgatum (switchgrass)

Experimental tests of community assembly mechanisms for host‐associated microbiomes in nature are lacking. Asymptomatic foliar fungal endophytes are a major component of the plant microbiome and are increasingly recognized for their impacts on plant performance, including pathogen defense, hormonal manipulation, and drought tolerance. However, it remains unclear whether fungal endophytes preferentially colonize certain host ecotypes or...