title: Endophytic fungi associated with Monarda citriodora, an aromatic and medicinal plant and their biocontrol potential.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Food and Agriculture Organization has estimated that every year considerable losses of the food crops occur due to plant diseases. Although fungicides are extensively used for management of plant diseases, they are expensive and hazardous to the environment and human health. Alternatively, biological control is the safe way to overcome the effects of plant diseases and to sustain agriculture. Since Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. (Lamiaceae/Labiatae) is known for its antifungal properties, it was chosen for the study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The isolation of endophytic fungi from M. citriodora and assessing their biocontrol potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  The isolated endophytes were characterized using ITS-5.8 S rDNA sequencing. Their biocontrol potential was assessed using different antagonistic assays against major plant pathogens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-eight endophytes representing 11 genera were isolated, of which, around 82% endophytes showed biocontrol potential against plant pathogens. MC-2 L (Fusarium oxysporum), MC-14 F (F. oxysporum), MC-22 F (F. oxysporum) and MC-25 F (F. redolens) displayed significant antagonistic activity against all the tested pathogens. Interestingly, MC-10 L (Muscodor yucatanensis) completely inhibited the growth of Sclerotinia sp., Colletotrichum capsici, Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus in dual culture assay, whereas MC-8 L (A. oryzae) and MC-9 L (Penicillium commune) completely inhibited the growth of the Sclerotinia sp. in fumigation assay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Endophytes MC-2 L, MC-14 F, MC-22 F and MC-25 F could effectively be used to control broad range of phytopathogens, while MC-10 L, MC-8 L and MC-9 L could be used to control specific pathogens. Secondly, endophytes showing varying degrees of antagonism in different assays represented the chemo-diversity not only as promising biocontrol agents but also as a resource of defensive and bioactive metabolites.
authors.affiliation: a Microbial Biotechnology Department , Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR) , Jammu , India.
authors.forename: Meenu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Katoch
authors.affiliation: a Microbial Biotechnology Department , Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR) , Jammu , India.
authors.forename: Shipra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pull
mesh_terms: D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000494:pharmacology; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D060026:Endophytes / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005658:Fungi / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D031338:Monarda / Q000382:microbiology*; D010935:Plant Diseases / Q000382:microbiology
chemical_list: D000935:Antifungal Agents; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal
keywords: Phytopathogen; antagonistic activity; culture filtrate assay; dual culture assay; fumigation assay