Diversity and distribution of endophytic fungi in different tissues of Hevea brasiliensis native to the Brazilian Amazon forest

Abstract

The genus Hevea is native to the Brazilian Amazon forest, and H. brasiliensis, popularly known as the rubber tree, is the main source of raw material for the production of natural rubber in the world. To characterize the fungal communities that inhabit the tissues of this species, a total of 550 endophytic fungi were isolated, of which 212 were from native trees located in the state of Acre and 338 in the state of Amazonas. These fungi were grouped into 115 OTUs. The phylum Ascomycota was dominant (93%) and the most abundant isolates belonged to the families Glomerallaceae (genus Colletotrichum), Diaporthaceae (genus Diaporthe), Nectriaceae (genus Fusarium), Hypocreaceae (genus Trichoderma), and Trichocomaceae (genus Penicillium). The diversity and richness of fungi in the state of Acre did not differ significantly between leaves, stems, and roots; however, in the state of Amazonas, the diversity was greater in the stems and roots than in the leaves. In general, the diversity of endophytic fungi was greater in the state of Acre. Comparisons between communities of fungi showed more differences between those that inhabit different tissues than in different states. Furthermore, the fungal communities of roots and stems were similar, and both these were dissimilar from leaves. Isolates identified in this study will be tested for their potential to produce metabolites of interest for industry and for the sustainable development of agribusiness.