ABE, JUN-ICHI P.
University of Tsukuba, Institute of Agriculture & Forestry, Ibaraki 305-8572, JAPAN.
In root nodules of sporophytes of a sub- and tropical pteridophyte, Lycopodium cernuum L., intercellular colonization of fungal endophytes has been observed (Duckett and Ligrone, 1992). The purpose of this study was to identify the endophytes isolated from root nodules and to elucidate the association between these endophytes and L. cernuum. The roots of L. cernuum were collected from three different islands in Japan. After thorough washing and rinsing in sterilized water, inner tissue of root nodules was placed on modified Czapek Dox Agar (CZ) medium. After three days the first endopyte was able to be isolated. For inoculation experiment, roots of tissue cultured L. cernuum were inoculated with these isolates. The isolates were identified as Chloridium sp., Pythium sp., and one species of dematiaceous hypomycete. From root nodules collected at Owase, Chloridium sp. and one species of dematiaceous hypomycete were isolated, at Hachijyoujima, Chloridium sp., and at Ishigakijima, Pythium sp. and one species of dematiaceous hypomycete. The inoculation experiment under axenic conditions shows that these isolated endophytes could be parasitic as well.
Duckett, J. G. and Ligrone, R. 1992. Can. J. Bot.70 : 58-72.