Philippine E-Journals

Isolation, Molecular Identification, Phylogenetic Analysis and Biodiversity of Root Symbiotic Fungi (RSF) from Drynaria quercifolia L.

Jomar L Aban

 

Abstract:

Fern epiphytes exposed to light- and water-deprived environments are common. Drynaria is an epiphytic fern found in such habitats. One of its unique ecophysiological adaptation is their association with fungi. This research is one of the few studies that explored the phylogenetic relationship, colonization, occurrence and diversity of symbiotic fungi found in D. quercifolia. Genomic DNA of the RSF was extracted, and the ITS (internal transcribed spacer) region of the 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) were sequenced. Five isolates were recorded. All the isolates were identified up to the species level using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool program to their closest type available on NCBI databank. These five isolates are under two genera: Trichoderma and Aspergillus. Their phylogenetic relationship was determined using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA6) and two distinct monophyletic groups were formed: Sordariomycetes and Eurotiomycetes. The computed colonization rate (100%) implies their abundance in the roots of D. quercifolia where species of the genus Trichoderma and Aspergillus were found to occur very frequently. Understanding the diversity of root fungal symbionts and the presence of dominating species are necessary to determine their impact on ecosystem functioning. These factors lead to RSF’s potential in organic agriculture and green biotechnology.