Department of P. G. Studies and Research in Applied Botany, Jnana Sahyadri, Kuvempu University, Shankaraghatta-577 451, India
*E-mail: mbshivanna@yahoo.co.uk
Online published on 19 September, 2020.
Endophytic fungi in Memecylon umbellatum were isolated by potato dextrose agar (PDA), malt extract agar or moist blotter methods, and studied for species richness, diversity and evenness. Sixty-three species of 22 genera of fungi and 10 morphotype isolates were documented. Certain morphotypes were characterized as Endomelanconiopsis endophytica, Lasiodiplodia iranensis, L. theobromae and Phyllosticta capitalensis by ITS regions of rDNA. Aspergillus niger, Cochlibolus lunatus and Pestalotiopsis guepinii were dominant species in leaves, bark and fruits. Winter season supported the high fungal incidence of species of Cochliobolus, Bipolaris and Khuskia. PDA supported high fungal expression in foliages during winter. Cochlibolus affinis and P. guepinii expressed high antibacterial activity against clinical bacterial strains. The study suggested rich endophytic fungal diversity in M. umbellatum which depended on isolation methods, seasons and plant parts, and some of them could be the future source of novel compounds with biological activities.
Fungal diversity, Pestalotiopsis, Endomelanconiopsis, Phyllosticta, Season-specific, Incubation method
