Diversity and abundance of endophytic fungi in four plant species of Western Ghats forests of Goa, Southern India

Abstract

Endophytic fungi associated with leaves of four plant species, viz. Calamus thwaitestii, Careya arborea, Dendrocalamus strictus and Saraca asoca of Western Ghats forests in Goa State, Southern India, were investigated during the pre-monsoon, monsoon and post-monsoon periods of 1999-2001. Features such as colony morphology and shape, size and colour of sporulating structures were used for species identification and recognition of morphotypes. From a total of 1200 leaf segments; 865 isolates belonging to 44 taxa (Ascomycetes (3), Coelomycetes (7), Hyphomycetes (10) and Sterile mycelia (24)] were recognized. Higher number of endophytes was isolated during the post-monsoon period; sterile forms were found to be prevalent in all seasons. Statistical analysis showed that the expected number of species of endophytes in all plants is maximum in post-monsoon except in Saraca asoca in which it was during the monsoon season. Jaccard Similarity Coefficient revealed that each plant species hosted a distinct endophytic assemblage.