Climatic dependency on the diversity and distribution of endophytic fungi from Rauvolfia serpentina of Westernghats

Altogether 210 segments from plant parts of Rauvolfia serpentina were collected during winter and summer seasons from Kerela and they were screened for the presence of endophytic fungi. A total of 10 species viz., Aspergillus brevipes, Aspergillus sp.1, Aspergillus sp.2, Aureobasidium sps. Curvularia lunata, Fusarium moniliforme, Colletotrichum acutatum, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Phyllosticta hymanaeae and sterile forms were isolated and identified based on morphology of the fungal isolates the nature of and spore with the help of manuals. In the present investigation, the diversity of endophytic fungi was higher in leaves followed by bark and stem. In this study, Hyphomycetes were found to be dominant. Higher colonization frequency and greater diversity of endophytes were observed during winter season than summer season.