African Journal of
Microbiology Research

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Microbiol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1996-0808
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJMR
  • Start Year: 2007
  • Published Articles: 5233

Full Length Research Paper

The colonization of plants by dark septate endophytes (DSE) in the valley-type savanna of Yunnan, southwest China

Yan Zhang1, Tao Li1, Lingfei Li2 and Zhi-wei Zhao1*
  1Key Laboratory of Conservation and Utilization for Bioresources and Key Laboratory of Microbial Diversity in Southwest China, Ministry of Education, Yunnan University, Kunming, Yunnan, 650091 China. 2College of Food Science and Technology. Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, Yunnan, China.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 31 October 2011
  •  Published: 23 December 2011

Abstract

 

The colonization of 120 plant species by dark septate endopytes (DSE) in the valley-type savanna of Jiansha River, southwest China was investigated. It was found that about 84% of plants were colonized by DSE to some extent. Morphological polymorphism of DSE was observed and 8 plant families were recorded as potential hosts for DSE. High colonization rate of DSE in the savanna vegetation implies that these fungi may play an important role in the adaption of plants to the dry-hot stress environment.

 

Key words: Valley-type savanna, dark septate endophyte.