Distribution of endophytic fungi in the leaf and stem of Cissus quadrangularis Linn. - A comparative study

Abstract

The present study focused on the diversity and distribution of endophytic fungal species in different plant parts (stems and leaves) of the plant Cissus quadrangularis Linn. collected from different locations of Assam, India. Plant samples were collected from three districts, Kamrup, Barpeta and Biswanath of Assam for endophytic fungal isolation. Variation was found in the distribution of fungal endophytes in stems and leaves of the plant collected from different locations under study. The percentage isolation of the endophytic fungal isolates was more from the stems collected from Kamrup (M) whereas the percentage isolation of endophytic fungal isolates was more from the leaves collected from Biswanath Chariali and Barpeta. Shannon-diversity and Simpson diversity indices of fungal endophytes varied in stems and leaves of the plant under study. This variation can be attributed to the soil conditions of the sampling site as well as the seasonal variation during sampling periods. Cladosporium sp. and Fusarium sp., are the most dominant and frequently occurring endophytic fungal species in C. quadrangularis of Kamrup (M) and Barpeta districts. Colletotrichum sp. and Rhizopus sp. were the dominant endophytic fungal species in Biswanath district. Since C. quadrangularis is used traditionally in the treatments of bone fracture, the study of endophytes associated to this plant could be of paramount significance with a scope of identifying the potent endophytes that are capable of producing bioactive compounds necessary in bone-healing.