Diversity Analysis of Endophytic Fungi Isolated from the Roots of Coastal Plants in Taean Peninsula

Abstract

Forty-two endophytic fungi were isolated from the roots of coastal plants, such as Aster sphathulifolius Maxim., Aster tripolium L., Phragmites australis, and Puccinellia nipponica Ohwi, naturally growing in Taean peninsula. The identity of the endophytic fungal strains was analyzed using the sequence of internal transcribed spacer regions. All fungi belonged to the phylum Ascomycota, and they were classified into eight orders (Botryosphaeriales, Capnodiales, Diaporthales, Dothideales, Eurotiales, Helotiales, Hypocreales, and Pleosporales) and thirteen genera (Alternaria, Aureobasidium, Cadophora, Cladosporium, Davidiella, Diaporthe, Fusarium, Gibberella, Macrophomina, Metarhizium, Neosartorya, Penicillium, and Phoma). Among the analyzed fungi, the fungi belonging to the genus Penicillium in Eurotiales were the most widely distributed. The host plant Aster tripolium L. was found to contain the most diverse endophytic fungal species among the coastal plants.