Endophytic mycobiota in the rhizoma of Curcuma longa.

Objective The biodiversity of endophytic fungi in the rhizoma of Curcuma longa was investigated to understand the population composition and ecological distribution of endophytic fungi in this endemic plant.Method Endophytic fungi were isolated from the rhizoma of Curcuma longa with surface-sterilization method in Spring and Winter respectively,and identified by morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis based on internal transcribed spacer fragment of rDNA(ITS1-5.8S-ITS2).Result 51 strains of endophytic fungi(33 isolates/Spring,18 isolates/Winter) were obtained from the tissue segments of the plant samples,identified and classified into 8 genera(Fusarium,Gibberella,Alternaria,Phomopsis,Diaporthe,Nectria,Botryosphaeria,Mucor),belonging to 8 families of 7 orders in five classes.Of which,Fusarium(51.0%)and Gibberella(17.6%)were dominant genera in the rhizoma of Curcuma longa.The strains isolated in Spring were classified into 7 genera(total isolation rate 82.5%) and those in Winter belonged to 4 genera(total isolation rate 45.0%).Conclusion There are abundant species and phylogenetic diversity of endophytic fungi isolated from the rhizoma of Curcuma longa;the population composition and distribution of endophytic fungi vary with seasons to a certain extent,and some endophytes(Fusarium sp.) have a preference to inhabit in the rhizoma of Curcuma longa.