Diversity and Distribution of Endophytic Fungi in Pteridophyte Leaves | InformativeBD

V. Mahalakshmi and G. Venkatesan, from the different institute of India. wrote a Research Article about, Diversity and Distribution of Endophytic Fungi in Pteridophyte Leaves. Entitled, Endophytic fungal communities in the leaves of pteridophyte plants: Diversity and distribution patterns. This research paper published by the International Journal of Biosciences (IJB). an open access scholarly research journal on Biosciences. under the affiliation of the International Network For Natural Sciences| INNSpub. an open access multidisciplinary research journal publisher.

Abstract

Two species of pteridophytes, viz., Adiantum capillus and Nephrolepis cordifolia pteridophyte plant species of the tropical herb, studied by endophytic fungi were collected from Coonoor, a city in (Ooty) Nilgiris district in the south India state of Tamil Nadu. They were screened for the presence of fungal endophytes from the plant parts. A total of 17 species of fungal endophytes were recorded. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporium, Curvularia lunata and Phomopsis sp. 1 occurred in all the pteridophyte species screened. The maximum number of endophytic fungal species was observed in Adiantum capillus, while Nephrolepis cordifolia ranked first in the number of isolates. The species composition, endophyte assemblage and pattern of colonisation among these vascular cryptogams were similar to those of the most studied phanerogams.

Read more: Fungal Endophyte Diversity in Tribulus terrestris from Tamil Nadu’s Delta Region | InformativeBD

Introduction

Endophytes have been known for a long time. The term endophyte was actually coined in 1884 by Heinrich Anton de Bary, who recognised that fungi and bacteria could dwell within plant tissues without causing any apparent harm. Endophytes are microbes, bacteria, fungi, or actinomycetes that live inside the tissues of plants for the entire or part of their life cycle without causing any disease to the host (Arpita et al., 2022). These are ubiquitous microorganisms, reported in almost all the vascular plants and bryophytes studied to date (Hardoim et al., 2015; Venkatesan and Mahalakshmi, 2022). Endophytes, organisms that are present in the internal parts of living plant tissues without causing any disease symptoms, are assumed to be present in all the plant species surveyed so far (Stone et al., 2000). Fungal endophytes have been reported from mosses (Petrini, 1986), gymnosperms (Carroll and Carroll, 1978; Petrini and Carroll, 1981), and angiosperms (Arnold et al., 2001; Suryanarayanan et al., 2011). Studies in the tropics with regard to the taxonomy and ecology of fungal endophytes have gained interest in the recent past (Mishra et al., 2012). This is due to the fact that the internal tissues of plants are relatively unexplored for fungi, and this niche of microbes could be sourced for novel fungi and potential compounds as well (Jacob and Bhat, 2000). 

The fungal endophytes are being reported from two pteridophyte species, viz., Adiantum capillus and Nephrolepis cordifolia. Pteridophytes and their associates are primitive vascular plants that did not ever bloom and are referred to as reptiles. They are frequently discovered across wet and cold environments and the tropics are where they are most widely varied (Giri et al., 2021). Pteridophytes are regarded as significant due to their evolutionary relevance, they are a notable ancient group of species with a significant number of relics and endemic ones (Patil et al., 2016). The pteridophytic flora of Nepal is extremely diverse due to the country's significant altitudinal changes, which vary from humid tropical to mountain ranges, as well as the existence of a wide range of climatic conditions and soil types (Gurung, 1992). In contrast to seeded plants, they can be found in ecosystems from the tropics to the poles and reproduce by means of tiny spores (Moran, 2004). After Linnaeus published "Species Plantarum" in 1753, with 140 genera and 182 species of pteridophytes, the history of the study of pteridophytes began.

Research on the relationships between species and elevation has frequently focused on pteridophytes, with the highest diversity seen in tropical and subtropical highlands (Bhattrai et al., 2004). Several studies of pteridophytes have already been conducted in various parts of Nepal, but comparative research on the diversity of pteridophytes in various aspects of Nepal is still insufficient. Few works done in Palpa district in the past include floristic research done by (Mahato, 2014) and (Shrestha et al., 2018). Pteridophytes are higher cryptogams with a welldeveloped vascular system and there are around 13,271 live species listed in a global checklist of ferns and lycophytes (Hassler, 2018).

A wide range of plant species have been reported to be host to endophytic fungi (Rajamanikyam et al., 2017; Souza and Santos, 2017; Toghueo and Boyom, 2019). These bacteria can be taken out of the inside of plants or separated from plant tissues that have been damaged on the surface (Hallmann et al., 1997). Endophytic fungi are abundant in bioactive substances with functions essential to host plant health and resilience to stressful conditions as well as the survival and upkeep of endophytes in plants. These substances include hormones (such as auxin, gibberellins), cellulases, proteases and chitinases), antimicrobial agents (Eid et al., 2019).

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