Isolation of endophytic fungi from eastern larch (Larix lancina) leaves from New Brunswick, Canada

Abstract

Endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves of eastern larch (Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch) collected in Saint John County, New Brunswick, Canada. Two thousand three hundred and six isolates were obtained from 1600 leaves (6400 leaf segments) from 40 trees. Isolates were obtained from 36.0% of the segments. These were distributed among 73.9% of the leaves. Multiple isolates (two or more) were obtained from 12.8% of the leaves but 26.1% of the leaves had no endophyte isolated whatsoever. The isolate designated RP31 accounted for 84.2% of all isolates and was the lone endophyte isolated from 46.5% of the leaves. Isolates RPB82, RPB65, and coelomycete 3 accounted for 10.2% of all isolates obtained. Of the 10 taxa isolated, RP31, RPB82, RPB65, and coelomycete 3 represented 98.1% of the total number of isolates. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in the number of isolations between leaf segments from the petiole to the tip when all isolates were considered together. However, if RP31 was excluded from the analysis, the remaining isolates were isolated significantly (p > 0.05) more frequently from the petiole segment.Key words: endophytic fungi, Larix laricina, leaves, deciduous.