Diversity of fungal endophytes in leaves and stems of wild rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis) in Peru

Endophytic fungi isolates from foliage and sapwood of Hevea brasiliensis were studied to determine the total diversity of endophytes inhabiting leaves and sapwood, and differences between respective endophyte communities found in leaves and sapwood. Endophytes were recovered from 72 % (161) of the 225 samples, with a total of 175 isolates. Sequence data from ITS and LSU nrDNA revealed 58 distinct OTUs. Ascomycota was dominant, representing almost 97 % of the isolates. In contrast, Basidiomycota and “Zygomycota” were represented by 1 % and 2 %, respectively. Among the genera isolated Penicillium, Pestalotiopsis and Trichoderma were the most frequently isolated. A greater diversity of endophytes was found in sapwood than in leaves. However, endophytic colonization frequency was greater in leaves than in sapwood. Comparisons between leaves and sapwood demonstrated a spatial heterogeneity in endophyte assemblages among plant parts and sites.