ANTIMICROBIAL POTENTIALS OF ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI INHABITING RHODODENDRON ANTHOPOGON D. DON

Fungal endophytes have been studied from Rhododendron anthopogon D. Don Manaslu Conservation Area in Nepal. The endophytes were isolated from different parts of Rhododendron viz., root, stem and leaf using potato dextrose aga r, malt extract agar and water agar. Altogether eighteen fungal endophytes belonging to nine genera were isolated. The endophytic species isolates belong to the genera Stemphylium , Alternaria , Penicillium , Aspergillus , Trichoderma, Papulaspora, Hansfordia, Wardomyces and Geotrichum . Out of 18 fungal isolates, 8 isolates could displ ay antimicrobial activity inhibiting at least one of t he test pathogens. Among the potent strains, 4 displayed both antibacterial and antifungal activit ies. Endophytic fungal isolates ERAA3, ERAA6 and ERAA8 displayed antimicrobial activity against a ll the tested bacterial (10) and fungal (5) pathogens. The endophytic strains were very effecti ve against the bacterial pathogens and moderately active against the fungal pathogens. The study rein forced the assumption that endophytes of the high altitude medicinal plants could be a promising sour ce of antimicrobial substances.