Abstract
A total of 973 isolates of endophytic fungi were recovered from 1144 tissue fragments of the six medicinal plant species belonging to 4 families collected in the Beijing Botanical Garden. Of these isolates 778 sporulated and were identified into 21 taxa by morphological characteristics. Among the taxa 11 belonged to Coelomycetes, 6 to Ascomycetes, and 4 to Hyphomycetes. Various numbers of endophytic fungi (5–8 taxa) were obtained from each plant. Alternaria alternata was the dominant species in the 6 plants, and Microsphaeropsis conielloides was also dominant in Eucommia ulmoides. There were high colonization rates (47.9%–63.1%) and isolation rates (0.7–0.93) of endophytic fungi, and they were conspicuously higher in twigs than those in leaves in the 6 plants examined. The colonization and isolation rates of endophytic fungi increased with the twig age. The results based on the analyses of cluster and Sorenson’s similarity coefficients indicated that some endophytic fungi showed a certain degree of host and tissue preference.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Petrini O. Fungal endophytes of tree leaves. In: Andrews J H, Hirano S S, eds. Microbial Ecology of Leaves. New York: Springer-Verlag, 1991. 179–197
Gennaro M, Gonthier P, Nicolotti G. Fungal endophytic communities in healthy and declining Quercus robur L. and Q. cerris L. trees in northern Italy. J Phytopathol, 2003, 151: 529–534, 10.1046/j.1439-0434.2003.00763.x, 10.1046/j.1439-0434.2003.00763.x
Li W C, Zhou J, Guo S Y, et al. Endophytic fungi associated with lichens in Baihua mountain of Beijing, China. Fungal Divers, 2007, 25: 69–80
Guo L D, Huang G R, Wang Y, et al. Molecular identification of white morphotype strains of endophytic fungi from Pinus tabulaeformis. Mycol Res, 2003, 107: 680–688, 12951794, 10.1017/S0953756203007834, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlvFSgtLs%3D, 12951794, 10.1017/S0953756203007834, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3sXlvFSgtLs%3D
Guo L D, Xu L, Zheng W H, et al. Genetic variation of A. alternata, an endophytic fungus isolated from Pinus tabulaeformis as determined by random amplified microsatellites (RAMS). Fungal Divers, 2004, 16: 53–67
Photita W, Lumyong S, Lumyong P, et al. Are some endophytes of Musa acuminata latent pathogens? Fungal Divers, 2004, 16: 131–140
Suryanarayanan T S, Thennarasan S. Temporal variation in endophyte assemblages of Plumeria rubra leaves. Fungal Divers, 2004, 15: 197–204
Wei J G, Xu T, Guo L D, et al. Endophytic Pestalotiopsis species from southern China. Mycosystema, 2005, 24: 481–493
Kumar D S S, Hyde K D. Biodiversity and tissue-recurrence of endophytic fungi in Tripterygium wilfordii. Fungal Divers, 2004, 17: 69–90, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXos1ekuro%3D, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXos1ekuro%3D
Durán E L, Ploper L D, Ramallo J C, et al. The foliar fungal endophytes of Citrus limon in Argentina. Can J Bot, 2005, 83: 350–355, 10.1139/b05-009, 10.1139/b05-009
Fisher P J, Petrini O. A comparative study of fungal endophytes in xylem and bark of Alnus species in England and Switzerland. Mycol Res, 1990, 94: 313–319
Collado J, Platas G, Peláez F. Host specificity in fungal endophytic populations of Quercus ilex and Quercus faginea from central Spain. Nova Hedwigia, 2000, 71: 421–430
Lyons P C, Evans J J, Bacon C W. Effects of the fungal endophyte Acremonium coenophialum on nitrogen accumulation and metabolism in tall fescue. Plant Physiol, 1990, 92: 726–732, 16667341, 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXhvFGgsbs%3D, 10.1104/pp.92.3.726, 16667341, 1:CAS:528:DyaK3cXhvFGgsbs%3D, 10.1104/pp.92.3.726
Lu H, Zou W X, Meng J C, et al. New bioactive metabolites produced by Colletotrichum sp., an endophytic fungus in Artemisia annua. Plant Sci, 2000, 151: 67–73, 10.1016/S0168-9452(99)00199-5, 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXotVKqtbo%3D, 10.1016/S0168-9452(99)00199-5, 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXotVKqtbo%3D
Clay K, Cheplick G P, Wray S M. Impact of the fungus Balansin henningsiana on the grass Panicum agrostoides: Frequency of infection, plant growth and reproduction and resistance to pests. Oecologia, 1989, 80: 374–380, 10.1007/BF00379039, 10.1007/BF00379039
Ravel F, Courty C, Coret A, et al. Beneficial effects of Neotyphodium loii on the growth and the water status in perenial ryegrass cultivated under nitrogen deficiency or drought stress. Agronomie, 1997, 17: 173–181, 10.1051/agro:19970304, 10.1051/agro:19970304
Malinowski D P, Belesky D P. Tall fescue aluminum torelance is affected by Neotyphodium coenophyiahum endophyte. J Plant Nutr, 1999, 22: 1335–1349
Guo L D. Advances of researches on endophytic fungi. Mycosystema (in Chinese), 2001, 20: 148–152, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhslensr0%3D, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXhslensr0%3D
Stierle A, Strobel G, Stierle D. Taxol and taxane production by Taxomyces andreanae, an endophytic fungus of Pacific yew. Science, 1993, 260: 214–216, 8097061, 10.1126/science.8097061, 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXit12qt74%3D, 8097061, 10.1126/science.8097061, 1:CAS:528:DyaK3sXit12qt74%3D
Sun J Q, Guo L D, Zang W, et al. Research advances in the diversities of endophytic fungi in medicinal plants and their bioactive ingredients. Acta Bot Boreal-Occident Sin (in Chinese), 2006, 26: 1505–1519, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXovV2hurw%3D, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXovV2hurw%3D
Liu A R, Wu X P, Xu T, et al. Endophytic Pestalotiopsis species from Hainan, China. Mycosystema, 2006, 25: 389–397, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xpsl2gtr0%3D, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xpsl2gtr0%3D
Sun J Q, Guo L D, Zang W, et al. Endophytic fungi IV. Two new records of the genus Sporomiella in China. Mycosystema, 2006, 25: 688–690
Li W C, Guo S Y, Guo L D. Endophytic fungi VII. Three new records from lichens in China. Mycosystema, 2007, 26: 32–35
Wei J G, Xu T, Guo L D, et al. Endophytic Pestalotiopsis species associated with plants of Podocarpaceae, Theaceae and Taxaceae in southern China. Fungal Divers, 2007, 24: 55–74, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsFWlsLjK, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXhsFWlsLjK
Li H Y, Qing C, Zhang Y L, et al. Screening for endophytic fungi with antitumour and antifungal activities from Chinese medicinal plants. World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2005, 21: 1515–1519, 10.1007/s11274-005-7381-4, 10.1007/s11274-005-7381-4
Zhu F, Lin Y C. Marinamide, a novel alkaloid and its methyl ester produced by the application of mixed fermentation technique to two mangrove endophytic fungi from the South China sea. Chin Sci Bull, 2006, 51: 1426–1430, 10.1007/s11434-006-1426-4, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtlOgtrY%3D, 10.1007/s11434-006-1426-4, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XmtlOgtrY%3D
Wang F W, Jiao R H, Cheng A B, et al. Antimicrobial potentials of endophytic fungi residing in Quercus variabilis and brefeldin A obtained from Cladosporium sp. World J Microbiol Biotechnol, 2007, 23: 79–83, 10.1007/s11274-006-9195-4, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXktF2qsw%3D%3D, 10.1007/s11274-006-9195-4, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXktF2qsw%3D%3D
Jin Y G ed. Botany (in Chinese). Beijing: Science Press, 2006. 133
Fang Y M ed. Botany (in Chinese). Beijing: China Forestry Publishing House, 2006. 71
Guo L D, Hyde K D, Liew E C Y. Identification of endophytic fungi from Livistona chinensis based on morphology and rDNA sequences. New Phytol, 2000, 147: 617–630, 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2000.00716.x, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXnsVKqsLg%3D, 10.1046/j.1469-8137.2000.00716.x, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXnsVKqsLg%3D
Wang Y, Guo L D, Hyde K D. Taxonomic placement of sterile morphotypes of endophytic fungi from Pinus tabulaeformis (Pinaceae) in northeast China based on rDNA sequences. Fungal Divers, 2005, 20: 235–260, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhsFChs7w%3D, 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XhsFChs7w%3D
Guo L D, Hyde K D, Liew E C Y. A method to promote sporulation in palm endophytic fungi. Fungal Divers, 1998, 1: 109–113
Sutton B C. The Coelomycetes: Fungi Imperfecti with Pycnidia Acervuli and Stromata. Kew, Surrey: Commonwealth Mycological Institute, 1980. 1–696
Barnett H L, Hunter B B. Illustrated Genera of Imperfect Fungi. 4th ed. St. Paul, Minnesota: APS Press, 1998. 1–218
Carmichael J W, BryceKendrick W, Conners I L, et al. Genera of Hyphomycetes. Edmonton, Alberta: The University of Alberta Press, 1980. 1–386
Ellis M B. Dematiaceous Hyphomycetes. Kew, Surrey: Commonwealth Mycological Institute, 1971. 1–608
Petrini O, Stone J K, Carroll F E. Endophytic fungi in evergreen shrubs in western Oregon: A preliminary study. Can J Bot, 1982, 60: 789–796, 10.1139/b82-102, 10.1139/b82-102
Pielou E C. Ecological Diversity. New York: John Wiley and Sons Inc, 1975. 165
Barengo N, Sieber T N, Holdenrieder O. Diversity of endophytic mycobiota in leaves and twigs of pubescent birch (Betula pubescens). Sydowia, 2000, 52: 305–320
Rodrigues K F. The foliar fungal endophytes of the Amazon palm Euterpe oleracea. Mycologia, 1994, 86: 376–385, 10.2307/3760568, 10.2307/3760568
Fisher P J, Petrini O, Petrini L E, et al. Fungal endophytes from the leaves and twigs of Quercus ilex L. from England, Majorca and Switzerland. New Phytol, 1994, 127: 133–137, 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1994.tb04267.x, 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1994.tb04267.x
Fisher P J, Petrini L E, Sutton B C. A study of fungal endophytes in leaves, stems and root of Gynoxis oleifolia Muchler (Compositae) from Ecuador. Nova Hedwigia, 1995, 60: 589–594
Carroll G C, Petrini O. Patterns of substrate utilization by some endophytes from coniferous foliage. Mycologia, 1983, 75: 53–63, 10.2307/3792923, 10.2307/3792923
Bernstein M E, Carroll G C. Internal fungi in old growth Douglas fir foliage. Can J Bot, 1977, 55: 644–653, 10.1139/b77-079, 10.1139/b77-079
Taylor J E, Hyde K D, Jones E B G. Endophytic fungi associated with the temperate palm, Trachycarpus fortunei, within and outside its natural geographic range. New Phytol, 1999, 142: 335–346, 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00391.x, 10.1046/j.1469-8137.1999.00391.x
Sieber T N, Hugentobler C. Endophytic fungi in leaves and twigs of healthy and diseased beech trees (Fagus sylvatica L.). Eur J Forest Path, 1987, 17: 411–425, 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1987.tb01119.x, 10.1111/j.1439-0329.1987.tb01119.x
Bertoni M D, Cabral D. Phyllosphere of Eucalyptus viminalis. II. Distribution of endophytes. Nova Hedwigia, 1988, 46: 491–502
Espinosa-Garcia F J, Langenheim J H. The endophytic fungal community in leaves of a coastal redwood population diversity and spatial patterns. New Phytol, 1990, 116: 89–97, 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1990.tb00513.x, 10.1111/j.1469-8137.1990.tb00513.x
Stone J K. Initiation and development of latent infection by Rhabdocline parkeri on Douglas-fir. Can J Bot, 1987, 65: 2614–2621, 10.1139/b87-352, 10.1139/b87-352
Fröhlich J, Hyde K D, Petrini O. Endophytic fungi associated with palms. Mycol Res, 2000, 104: 1202–1212, 10.1017/S095375620000263X, 10.1017/S095375620000263X
Kumaresan V, Suryanarayanan T S. Occurrence and distribution of endophytic fungi in a mangrove community. Mycol Res, 2001, 105: 1388–1391, 10.1017/S0953756201004841, 10.1017/S0953756201004841
Romero A, Carrión G, Rico-Gray V. Fungal latent pathogens and endophytes from leaves of Parthenium hysterophorus (Asteraceae). Fungal Divers, 2001, 7: 81–87
Kaneko R, Kaneko S. The effect of bagging branches on levels of endophytic fungal infection in Japanese beech leaves. Forest Pathol, 2004, 34: 65–78, 10.1111/j.1439-0329.2004.00350.x, 10.1111/j.1439-0329.2004.00350.x
Risen T. Endophytic fungi in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Swiss Federal Institute of Technology. Zurich. Thesis, 1985
Girlanda M, Isocrono D, Bianco C, et al. Two foliose lichens as microfungal ecological niches. Mycologia, 1997, 89: 531–536, 10.2307/3760987, 10.2307/3760987
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant NO. 30370006 and 32030020)
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sun, J., Guo, L., Zang, W. et al. Diversity and ecological distribution of endophytic fungi associated with medicinal plants. SCI CHINA SER C 51, 751–759 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-008-0091-z
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11427-008-0091-z