Native fungal endophytes as potential bio-source for management of <i>Fusarium udum</i> in pigeonpea

Fungal endophytes have gained a lot of importance as plant growth promoters and biological control agents against a variety of plant diseases. In the present investigation, in vitro studies were conducted to explore fungal endophytes native to the pigeonpea host system as potential biocontrol agents against the pigeonpea-infecting soil-borne pathogen, Fusarium udum. Fungal endophytes were isolated from healthy roots and leaves of pigeonpea seedlings. A total of 103 endophytes were isolated and categorized into 96 operational taxonomic units based on colony characteristics. Among the tested endophytes, one isolate identified as Biscogniauxia petrensis showed 61.9% inhibition against F. udum in the dual plate assay; further, the enrichment with B. petrensis also enhanced the growth of pigeonpea under greenhouse conditions. The findings pave the way for the application of native endophytic resources to biotic stress management in pigeonpea.