Figure 2.

Validation of the expression changes (log₂ (fold change, FC)) and a heatmap (FC > 1.5, plus) of selected genes involved in the processes of photosynthesis and photosynthesis-antenna proteins from RNA-Seq using qRT-PCR under normal (CK, (A)), moderate drought (MD, (B)), and severe drought (SD, (C)) moisture treatments. Note: The results are plotted for genes that show the significant upregulation and down regulation of leaves in response to the fungal endophyte under different soil moisture levels (D); a plus indicates the upregulated DEGs in Epichloë symbiotic (EI) versus non-symbiotic (EF) plants under CK, MD, and SD moisture treatments. The linear trend line, the R-value, and 95% confidence interval are shown.