Foliar fungal endophytes from two species of the mangrove <i>Rhizophora</i>

Abstract

Endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves of Rhizophora apiculata Bl. and Rhizophora mucronata Lamk., two typical mangrove plants growing in the Pichavaram mangrove of Tamil Nadu, Southern India. Three hundred leaf segments from each plant species were sampled during dry and rainy months. More endophytes could be isolated during the rainy months than during the dry period. Hyphomycetes and sterile forms were more prevalent than ascomycetes or coelomycetes. Sporormiella minima, Acremonium sp. strain MG1 and a sterile fungus (MG90) were isolated from both plants irrespective of the season. Some endophytes were common to both plants, although a few appeared to be host specific. This is the first report on fungal endophytes in leaves of mangrove plants in India.Key words: endophytic fungi, Rhizophora apiculata, Rhizophora mucronata, mangrove, leaves.