Endophytic fungal communities in the leaves of pteridophyte plants: Diversity and distribution patterns

Two species of pteridophytes, viz., Adiantum capillus and Nephrolepis cordifolia pteridophyte plant species of the tropical herb, studied by endophytic fungi were collected from Coonoor, a city in (Ooty) Nilgiris district in the south India state of Tamil Nadu.They were screened for the presence of fungal endophytes from the plant parts.A total of 17 species of fungal endophytes were recorded.Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Fusarium oxysporium, Curvularia lunata and Phomopsis sp. 1 occurred in all the pteridophyte species screened.The maximum number of endophytic fungal species was observed in Adiantum capillus, while Nephrolepis cordifolia ranked first in the number of isolates.The species composition, endophyte assemblage and pattern of colonisation among these vascular cryptogams were similar to those of the most studied phanerogams.