Diversity and Saline Resistance of Endophytic Fungi Associated with Pinus thunbergii in Coastal Shelterbelts of Korea

Abstract

The Black Pine, Pinus thunbergii, is widely distributed along the eastern coast of Korea and its importance as a shelterbelt was highlighted after tsunamis in Indonesia and Japan. The root endophytic diversity of P. thunbergii was investigated in three coastal regions; Goseong, Uljin, and Busan. Fungi were isolated from the root tips, and growth rates of pure cultures were measured and compared between PDA with and without 3% NaCl to determine their saline resistance. A total of 259 isolates were divided into 136 morphotypes, of which internal transcribed spacer region sequences identified 58 species. Representatives of each major fungi phylum were present: 44 Ascomycota, 8 Zygomycota, and 6 Basidiomycota. Eighteen species exhibited saline resistance, many of which were Penicillium and Trichoderma species. Shoreline habitats harbored higher saline-tolerant endophytic diversity compared with inland sites. This investigation indicates that endophytes of P. thunbergii living closer to the coast may have higher resistance to salinity and potentially have specific relationships with P. thunbergii.

Agricultural and Other Biotechnological Applications Resulting from Trophic Plant-Endophyte Interactions

“…(a) produce auxin (IAA), gibberellins, cytokinins in order to maintain plant hormone homeostasis, (b) produce ACC in order to control the ethylene content (plant stress phytohormone), (c) decrease the content of reactive oxygen species by manipulating the activities of plant antioxidant enzymes, (d) release osmoprotectants in stress conditions, (e) produce exopolysaccharides protecting plant roots against desiccation, and (f) help in solubilization of poorly available nutrients for plant roots (e.g., Fe, P). Endophytes can confer habitat-adapted tolerance to the host plant and receive some benefits, i.e., nutrient availability and protection from the host plant [88,89]. The host-endophyte relationships can usually take three forms: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism [88,90,91].…”

“…Endophytes can confer habitat-adapted tolerance to the host plant and receive some benefits, i.e., nutrient availability and protection from the host plant [88,89]. The host-endophyte relationships can usually take three forms: mutualism, commensalism, and parasitism [88,90,91].…”

“…Moreover, the results from scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations proved the active colonization of the host plant by the endophyte both before and after the salt stress treatment [90]. Min et al [88] studied the endophytic diversity in Pinus thunbergii roots from three coastal regions of Korea. It is worth mentioning here that the ability to resist high salinity stress is essential for surviving in coastal environments.…”

PCR-Mediated Detection of Endophytic and Phytopathogenic Fungi from Needles of the Japanese Black Pine, <i>Pinus thunbergii</i>

“…On the other hand, some of the fungi mentioned above have been considered to be endophytic fungi in Pinus spp. (Yoo & Eom, 2012;Min et al, 2014;Qadri et al, 2014). The identification and detection of both endophytic and phytopathogenic fungi relies upon their culture-based morphological characteristics and on biochemical approaches.…”

A Taxonomic and Phylogenetic Investigation of Conifer Endophytes of Eastern Canada

“…Bullington and Larkin (2015) reported a negative correlation between basidiomycete and ascomycete endophytes in Pinus monticola seedlings. Basidiomycete endophytes detected in this study, such as Peniophora spp., Schizophyllum commune, and Trametes versicolor, are also reported as sapwood and root endophytes of conifers (Giordano et al 2009, Min et al 2014).…”