Hidden microbial supporters: first report on macro-fungal endophytic diversity of rice and their antagonistic nature against the major rice pathogens under in vitro
摘要
Endophytes are hidden supporters of plant. They were isolated from GNR-3 variety of rice at different growth stages from tillering to dough stage. Endophytes belonged to the ascomycetes macro-fungal group. Molecular identification was carried out using ITS primers and they were identified as Daldinia eschscholtzii, Daldinia korfii, Orbilia foliicola and Xylaria feejeensis. These endophytes were tested against major diseases of rice mainly blast (Pyricularia oryzae), sheath rot (Sarocladium oryzae) and stem rot (Sclerotium rolfsii) and showed 30–70% inhibition of the test pathogens. Generally macro-fungi have the endophytic association with the higher tree pants. The present study showed the relationship of horizontal and vertical transmission the macro-fungi as endophytes in the rice plants and unveils the possibility of using them as biocontrol agents in rice ecosystems. This is the first report from India on the association of macro-fungi as endophytes of rice.