Diverse endophytic fungi colonise wild endemic grasses and sedges in Hyrcanian Forests

Fungal endophytes were identified associated with leaves, stems and roots of wild grasses (Poaceae) and sedges (Cyperaceae) residing in Hyrcanian Forests, some of the most unique and unspoiled forest systems in the world. The plants grew in two climatically-distinct regions of Golestan and Semnan provinces of Iran. Endophytic fungi isolated from these plants were categorised into 27 morphogroups based on physical attributes measured in vitro. Sequence diversity was estimated from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal DNA gene. Of the 53 isolates characterised in this study, identification of only one isolate was conclusive at the species level. Twenty-eight isolates were identified to the level of genus, belonging to seven families and six orders, six isolates to the level of family, 13 at the level of order, one to the super family, and four to the subphylum. Members of the genera Fusarium and Alternaria, and of the families Necteriaceae, Pleosporaceae and Trichocomaceae were the most abundant fungal endophytes identified. Several endophytes resembled those of fungal pathogens. This study advances our understanding of endophytic fungal communities of indigenous grasses and sedges in Hyrcanian Forests.