Spatial and temporal variation of fungal endophytic richness and diversity associated to the phyllosphere of olive cultivars

• Published in: Fungal biology Vol. 123; no. 1; pp. 66 - 76
• Main Authors: Materatski, Patrick, Varanda, Carla, Carvalho, Teresa, Dias, António Bento, Campos, M. Doroteia, Rei, Fernando, Félix, Maria do Rosário
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2019
• Subjects: Endophytic fungi; Olea europaea L; Spatial and temporal distribution; Species richness and diversity; Olea europaea L; Species richness and diversity; Endophytic fungi; Spatial and temporal distribution
• ISSN: 1878-6146; 1878-6162
• DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2018.11.004

Fungal endophytes are micro-organisms that colonize healthy plant tissues without causing disease symptoms. They are described as plant growth and disease resistance promoters and have shown antimicrobial activity. The spatial-temporal distribution of endophytic communities in olive cultivars has been poorly explored. This study aims to investigate the richness and diversity of endophytic fungi in different seasons and sites, within the Alentejo region, Portugal. Additionally, and because the impact of some pathogenic fungi (e.g. Colletotrichum spp.) varies according to olive cultivars; three cultivars, Galega vulgar, Cobrançosa and Azeiteira, were sampled. 1868 fungal isolates were identified as belonging to 26 OTUs; 13 OTUs were identified to the genera level and 13 to species level. Cultivar Galega vulgar and season autumn showed significant higher values in terms of endophytic richness and diversity. At site level, Elvas showed the lowest fungal richness and diversity of fungal endophytes. This study reinforces the importance of exploring the combined spatio-temporal distribution of the endophytic biodiversity in different olive cultivars. Knowledge about endophytic communities may help to better understand their functions in plants hosts, such as their ecological dynamics with pathogenic fungi, which can be explored for their use as biocontrol agents. •Spatial and temporal distribution in terms of fungal richness and diversity were studied in olive trees.•Endophytic fungi were evaluated in different olive cultivars.•Season and Cultivar were the main factors that shaped the endophytic richness and diversity.•The Season ‘Autumn’ and the Cultivar ‘Galega vulgar’ exhibited the highest richness and diversity of endophytes.•The site Elvas showed the lower richness and diversity in terms of endophytic fungi.