Fungal endophytes of aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis

Abstract

Mitosporic fungi and several sterile forms were isolated as endophytes from the leaf tissues and aerial roots of Ficus benghalensis (Moraceae). Although similar number of endophyte species was present in lamina and petiole, the endophytic fungi more densely colonized the petiole. The species composition and the colonization frequency of the endophytes were more for the aerial roots entering the soil when compared with those growing in the air since the roots recruited some endophytes from the soil. The endophyte assemblages of the leaf and aerial root and of the aerial root growing in the air and soil showed little overlap suggesting that the nature of the host tissue as well as the environment determine the endophyte composition of a host.