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Published on: April 23, 2012
Molecular identification and pathogenicity of endophytic fungi from corn ears
Paul T Terna1,2, Nik Mohd Izham Mohamed Nor1, Nurul Farizah Azuddin1
1School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 11800, Penang, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Endophytic fungi are widely known as fungi that infect internal tissues of host plants for all or part of their life cycles, without causing visible symptoms of disease. The present study was carried out to identify and investigate the pathogenicity of endophytic fungi residing in husks, silks, and kernels of corn. Endophytic fungi were isolated from surface-sterilised silks, kernels, and husks of healthy corn plants and identified using sequencing of multiple markers comprising TEF-1α, β-tubulin, calmodulin, ITS, LSU, and ACT. A total of 56 isolates of endophytic fungi belonging to 17 species, namely Fusarium pseudocircinatum (n = 8), F. verticillioides (n = 2), F. andiyazi (n = 4), F. sacchari (n = 1), F. mangiferae (n = 1), F. fujikuroi (n = 1), F. proliferatum (n = 3), F. incarnatum (n = 2), Penicillium oxalicum (n = 2), P. polonicum (n = 2), P. citrinum (n = 11), Aspergillus flavus (n = 10), A. tubingensis (n = 1), Cladosporium tenuissimum (n = 3), Aureobasidium pullulans (n = 3), Curvularia lunata (n = 1), and Epicoccum sorghinum (n = 1) were identified. Pathogenicity test showed that all endophytic fungi induced varying severities of disease symptoms on corn plants such as leaf chlorosis and necrosis, stem malformation, wilt, and stunted growth with F. verticillioides being the most virulent. The study revealed that corn tissues harbour diverse genera of endophytic fungi that can infect corn plants and may cause harmful effects to the host plants.
Insights
Endophytic fungi were identified in corn, with Fusarium verticillioides showing the highest virulence. These fungi can cause significant disease symptoms in corn plants, impacting crop health.
Area of Science:
- Plant Pathology
- Mycology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Endophytic fungi reside within plant tissues asymptomatically.
- Corn harbors a diverse range of endophytic fungi.
- Understanding these fungi is crucial for plant health management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify endophytic fungi in corn husks, silks, and kernels.
- To assess the pathogenicity of isolated endophytic fungi.
- To determine the impact of these fungi on corn plants.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of endophytic fungi from surface-sterilized corn plant parts.
- Identification using multi-marker gene sequencing (TEF-1α, β-tubulin, calmodulin, ITS, LSU, ACT).
- Pathogenicity testing on corn plants to observe disease development.
Main Results:
- 56 isolates belonging to 17 species were identified, including Fusarium, Penicillium, and Aspergillus genera.
- All identified endophytic fungi induced disease symptoms like chlorosis, necrosis, and stunted growth.
- Fusarium verticillioides demonstrated the highest pathogenicity among the isolates.
Conclusions:
- Corn tissues host a variety of endophytic fungi with pathogenic potential.
- These endophytic fungi can negatively affect corn plant health and development.
- Further research into endophytic fungal interactions in corn is warranted.
