Endophytic fungi from leaves of Centella asiatica: occurrence and potential interactions within leaves

• DOI: 10.1007/s10482-007-9176-0
• Publication Date: 2007-07-03T16:03:56Z
• Authors: E. F. Rakotoniriana; F. Munaut; C. Decock; D. Randriamampionona; M. Andriambololon...; T. Rakotomalala; E. J. Rakotonirina; C. Rabemanantsoa; K. Cheuk; S. U. Ratsimamanga; J. Mahillon; M. El-Jaziri; J. Quetin-Leclercq; A. M. Corbisier
• Keywords: Glomerella cingulata; Colletotrichum; Centella

Fungal endophytes were isolated from leaves of Centella asiatica (Apiaceae) collected at Mangoro (middle eastern region of Madagascar, 200 km from Antananarivo). Forty- five different taxa were recovered. The overall foliar colonization rate was 78%. The most common endophytes were the non-sporulating species 1 (isolation frequency IF 19.2%) followed by Colletotrichum sp.1 (IF 13.2%), Guignardia sp. (IF 8.5%), Glomerella sp. (IF 7.7%), an unidentified ascomycete (IF 7.2%), the non-sporulating species 2 (IF 3.7%) and Phialophora sp. (IF 3.5%). Using sequences of the ribosomal DNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions, major endophytes (IF > 7%) were identified as xylariaceous taxa or as Colletotrichum higginsianum, Guignardia mangiferae and Glomerella cingulata. Results from in vitro fungal disk experiments showed a strong inhibitory activity of the xylariaceous non-sporulating species 1 against G. mangiferae and C. higginsianum and of C. higginsianum against G. mangiferae. This can be explained by antagonism between dominant taxa.