ENDOPHYTIC FUNGI ASSOCIATED WITH BALANITES AEGYPTIACA (L.) Delile

During present study observed the diversity of endophytic fungi present in plant parts of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile like leaves, stems, roots and fruits. Plant parts were surface sterilized and cultured on potato dextrose agar for fungal growth. A total number of 144 segments were analysed, out of which 78 showed fungal growth, giving an overall colonization frequency of 54.16%. About 18 fungal taxa were identified based on morphological characteristics such as Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Cladosporium, Chaetomium, Cylindrocephalum, Phoma, Penicillium, Nigrospora, Trichoderma, Curvularia, Rhizoctonia, Drechslera and Bipolaris. Leaves showed the maximum colonization frequency (66.67%) followed by stems, fruits and roots. The results showed that Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile hosts diverse fungal endophytes that may have potential for producing biologically active compounds.