Diversity of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Cinnamomum bejolghota (Lauraceae) in Northern Thailand

Abstract

A total of 2,774 culturable endophytic fungi were isolated from 2,250 samples of healthy leaves (vein and intervein) and stems of mature plants of wild cinnamon tree, Cinnamomum bejolghota collected from Doi Suthep Pui National Park, northern Thailand. Colonization rates were high ranging from 94.8% to 99.7% at the three sample sites in the wet and dry seasons. Endophytes were most frequently isolated from tree in the wet season at the Doi Suthep Pui Peak site. Species richness was consistently higher in the wet season. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides and Phomopsis spp. were the most common endophytic fungi in the leaves and stems at all sites. All isolated endophytes were classified into 9 ascomycetes and 19 anamorphic taxa (6 coelomycetes and 13 hyphomycetes) using conventional methods. Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, C. acutatum, Phomopsis spp., Guignardia mangiferae and xylariaceous taxa were found consistently dominant.