Filtrates from cultures of endophytic fungi isolated from leaves of Copaifera oblongifolia (Fabaceae) affect germination and seedling development differently.

P S Silva,E G Fernandes,H M Valerio,M V Queiroz,V A Royo,M Fagundes

doi:10.1590/1519-6984.242070

Abstract

Interactions between endophytic fungi (EFs) and their host plants range from positive to neutral to negative. The results of such interactions can vary depending on the organ of the infected host plant. EFs isolated from the leaves of some species of plants have potential for use as agents to inhibit seed germination and control invasive plants. The objectives of this study were to identify EFs present in the leaves of Copaifera oblongifolia and to evaluate the role of these fungi in seed germination and seedling development. A total of 11 species of EFs were isolated, which were identified using the internal transcribed spacers (ITS) sequence of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. The isolated species of EFs are generalists and probably are transmitted horizontally. Laboratory tests revealed that filtrates of these fungal isolates differently affect seed germination and seedling development of C. oblongifolia. The species Curvularia intermedia, Neofusicoccum parvum, Pseudofusicoccum stromaticum and Phomopsis sp. negatively affected seed germination, with N. parvum standing out for its negative effects, inhibiting seedling germination and survival in 89 and 222%, respectively. In addition, Cochliobolus intermedius negatively affected seedling development. Thus, the combined use of N. parvum and C. intermedius, or products from the metabolism of these microorganisms, in the control of invasive plants deserves attention from future studies.

Highlights

Plants interact with a great diversity of microorganisms that can colonize the external surface or internal tissues of different organs (Porras-Alfaro and Bayman, 2011; Hardoim et al, 2015)
A total of 11 species of EFs were isolated from the leaves of Copaifera oblongifolia (Table 1), only one of which was not identified
A total of 11 EFs were isolated from leaves of Copaifera oblongifolia

Summary

Introduction

Plants interact with a great diversity of microorganisms that can colonize the external surface or internal tissues of different organs (Porras-Alfaro and Bayman, 2011; Hardoim et al, 2015). Endophytic fungi (EFs) normally develop inside plant tissues (Rodriguez et al, 2009; Hardoim et al, 2015; Ripa et al, 2019) and their relationship with the host can vary from positive to neutral to negative (Porras-Alfaro and Bayman, 2011; Lata et al, 2018). Fungi that have horizontal transmission have less host plant specificity (Murali et al, 2006) and represent an important component of the diversity of microorganisms associated with tropical angiosperms (Arnold et al, 2001; Hawksworth, 2004; Arnold, 2007). The role of these microorganisms in plant development is still poorly understood (Murali et al, 2006; U’ren et al, 2009; Arora et al, 2019)

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