The ability of dark septate endophytes fungi to decompose <i>Pinus merkusii</i> litter

Abstract Dark Septate Endophyte (DSE) fungi are a group of fungi that inhabit plant tissue without causing disease and have the potential to decompose organic matter. This study evaluated the ability of three types of DSE Cylindrocarpon sp. Apls 1.5.3, Cladophialophora sp. Hs 14.6c, and Oncopodiella trigonella Pls 32.1 to decompose Pinus merkusii litter during the 7 month’s incubation period. This study used a completely randomized design to measure the reduction in litter weight, C/N ratio, lignin and cellulose content. The results showed that all DSE fungi were effective in reducing the weight of fine (40 mesh) and coarse (2 cm) litter compared to the control and were effective in decomposing P. merkusii litter. In particular, the DSE fungi Cladophialophora sp. Hs 14.6c and Cylindrocarpon sp. Apls 1.5.3 was able to reduce the C/N ratio to 27.94 for fine litter and 47.50 for coarse litter compared to the control. Furthermore, Cladophialophora sp. Hs 14.6c significantly reduced the cellulose and lignin content in fine litter by 42.15% and 16.65%, respectively. This study concluded that the DSE fungi Cladophialophora sp. Hs 14.6c and Cylindrocarpon sp. Apls 1.5.3 can be used as a biological agent to support the decomposition of P. merkusii litter.