Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Tropical Semi-evergreen Forests Trees of Chhattisgarh

Endophytic fungi grow asymptomatically within the living plant tissues such as leaves and stem. Chhattisgarh state in central India is well recognized for maximum area of Sal forests (Shorea robusta) along with some of the members of family Combretaceae viz. Terminalia arjuna, T. chebula, and T. bellerica. The state is also known for maximum varieties of tree species most of which are of pharmaceutical importance. In the present study the above mentioned tree species were screened for the presence of endophytic fungi. The samples were collected from the Achanakmar–Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve in the winter, summer and rainy season. The seasonal occurrence and distribution of endophytic fungi were recorded. Species belonging to Aspergillus, Fusarium, Pestalotia, etc. were common for all the tree species and some species such as Acremonium, Cladosporium and Dendrophoma were specific. Despite the specificity of tree plants, the study reveals importance of the geographical and seasonal factors with respect to the presence or absence of endophytic fungi. © 2014, The National Academy of Sciences, India.