Root endophytic aquatic hyphomycetes from the Nandhaur River, India

Nandhaur River, an unexplored water body in the Kumaun Himalayan foothill region, was investigated for the root endophytic aquatic hyphomycetes (REAHs) by the examination of collected root samples of healthy riparian plants through ‘Agar plating’ and ‘Direct detection’ methods. The study was carried out to explore the association of these fungi (REAHs) with different host plants and contribute to the diversity and distribution of these fungi in India. Altogether 15 species of aquatic hyphomycetes namely Acaulopage dichotoma, Acaulopage tetraceros, Amniculicola longissima, Anguillospora crassa, Anguillospora mediocris, Bacillispora aquatica, Campylospora filicladia, Flagellospora curvula, Helicomyces roseus, Lunulospora curvula, Setosynemma isthamosporum, Spieropsis scopiformis, Tetracladium marchalianum, Tetracladium setigerum and Trescelophorus acuminatus were isolated and identified as root endophytes of new host plants. A. mediocris was found to be a new addition to the Indian aquatic hyphomycetes, as it has not yet been reported from India. A. dichotoma, A. mediocris, C. filicladia, F. curvula and S. scopiformis were isolated as root endophytes for the first time from the foothill region of the Kumaun Himalaya. Maximum diversity was recorded in the autumn and winter seasons over the temperature range of 10–25 °C. The average incubation time for sporulation of these fungi was recorded as 10–35 days except for A. tetraceros, A. longissima, A. mediocris, B. aquatica and C. filicladia which sporulated in the latter stages of the incubation period. Mallotus philippensis was recorded as the best host plant as it favoured the growth of the maximum species of REAHs.