Spatio-temporal distribution of endophytes in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) crop

Abstract

Endophytes are associated with all types of plants. However their population and diversity varies with time and type of tissue that harbor them. In the present study it was found that highest number of endophyte population (112) was isolated during monsoon season followed by premonsson (64) and post monsoon (58) seasons. Additionally, the highest tissue colonization was found in roots (61.11%) of tomato plants followed by leaves (21.79%) and stems (17.09%). These observations suggested that to study and isolate highest endophyte population monsoon season is better for sample collection and root tissues harbor maximum endophytes.