Endophytic Fungal Diversity in Medicinal Plants of Western Ghats, India

A significant variation in endophytic fungal diversity was observed between monsoon and winter seasons in medicinal plants of the Western Ghats, India. The study, conducted from 2007 to 2014, isolated 31 fungal taxa from seven plant species, with Fusarium, Acremonium, Colletotrichum, Chaetomium, Myrothecium, Phomopsis, and Pestalotiopsis being the most prevalent. Coelomycetes dominated (65%), followed by hyphomycetes (32%) and ascomycetes (3%). Stem fragments harbored more endophytes than roots, and species richness was notably higher during the monsoon season. The research also revealed host specificity in some fungal endophytes, with distinct genetic clustering observed through UPGMA analysis. This pioneering study highlights the seasonal dynamics of fungal diversity in semi-evergreen forests of the Talacauvery subcluster, contributing to our understanding of microbial biodiversity in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nalini, M. S., Sunayana, N., & Prakash, H. S. (2014). Endophytic Fungal Diversity in Medicinal Plants of Western Ghats, India. International Journal of Biodiversity, 2014, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/494213