title: Endophytic fungi associated with roots of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera) in coastal dunes.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Symbiotic interactions with fungal endophytes are argued to be responsible for the tolerance of plants to some stresses and for their adaptation to natural conditions.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study we aimed to examine the endophytic fungal diversity associated with roots of date palms growing in coastal dune systems, and to screen this collection of endophytes for potential use as biocontrol agents, for antagonistic activity and mycoparasitism, and as producers of antifungal compounds with potential efficacy against root diseases of date palm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Roots of nine individual date palms growing in three coastal locations in the South-East of Spain (Guardamar, El Carabassí, and San Juan) were selected to isolate endophytic fungi. Isolates were identified on the basis of morphological and/or molecular characters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five hundred and fifty two endophytic fungi were isolated and assigned to thirty morphological taxa or molecular operational taxonomic units. Most isolates belonged to Ascomycota, and the dominant order was Hypocreales. Fusarium and Clonostachys were the most frequently isolated genera and were present at all sampling sites. Comparisons of the endophytic diversity with previous studies, and their importance in the management of the date palm crops are discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first study on the diversity of endophytic fungi associated with roots of date palm. The isolates obtained might constitute a source of biological control agents and biofertilizers for use in crops of this plant.
authors.affiliation: Department of Botany, National Superior School of Agronomy, Algiers, Algeria; Department of Biology and Cell Physiology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Blida 1 University, BP 270, Blida, Algeria; Laboratory of Protection and Enhancement of Agrobiological Resources, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria. Electronic address: m-fadhela@netcourrier.com.
authors.forename: Fadila
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Mohamed Mahmoud
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Protection and Enhancement of Agrobiological Resources, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Blida 1 University, Blida, Algeria; Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Blida 1 University, Algeria.
authors.forename: Zoulikha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krimi
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ecology, Evolution and Diversity, Goethe Universität Frankfurt, Max-von-Laue-Str. 13, D-60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Jose G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Maciá-Vicente
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Blida 1 University, Algeria.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Brahim Errahmani
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Plant Pathology, Department of Marine Sciences and Applied Biology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain; Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES) Ramon Margalef, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain.
authors.forename: Luis V
authors.initials: LV
authors.lastname: Lopez-Llorca
mesh_terms: D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification; D044822:Biodiversity; D061046:Biological Control Agents; D055864:Droughts; D060026:Endophytes / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D025282:Mycelium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016533:Mycological Typing Techniques; D065749:Phoeniceae / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000502:physiology; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control; D018517:Plant Roots / Q000382:microbiology*; D013030:Spain; D013559:Symbiosis
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D061046:Biological Control Agents
keywords: Ascomycota; Clonostachys; Fusarium; Hongos endófitos radiculares; Hypocreales; Root-endophytic fungi