New Records of Two Endophytic Diaporthe Species on Camellia sinensis From Thailand
New Records of Two Endophytic Diaporthe Species on Camellia sinensis from Thailand
Vidyamali Koodalugodaarachchi124, K. W. Thilini Chethana3, Saisamorn Lumyong12*, and Kevin D. Hyde3*
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
2Center of Excellence in Microbial Diversity and Sustainable Utilization, Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
3Center of Excellence in Fungal Research, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai 57100, Thailand
Email: scboi009@gmail.com*, kdhyde3@gmail.com*, vidyamali1994@gmail.com
Diaporthe is a genus that accommodates different life forms of fungi, especially endophytes, pathogens, and saprobes, inhabiting a wide range of host plants. The association between the tea plant (Camellia sinensis) and Diaporthe species has often been revealed. Apart from its widespread cultivation as one of the most prominent types of tea, among C. sinensis var. sinensis and C. sinensis var. assamica varieties on a global scale, C. sinensis var. assamica, commonly known as Assam tea, holds significant popularity in northern Thailand. This popularity can be attributed to its deep-rooted traditional and commercial significance, which has seamlessly become intertwined with the cultural fabric of northern Thailand. The current study focuses on the introduction of two endophytic fungal strains isolated from leaves of C. sinensis var. assamica based on the morphological and multi-locus gene phylogeny constructed with combined nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1- α),Beta-tubulin (β-tubulin), calmodulin (cal) and histone H3 (his) regions. Based on phylogenetic evidence, herein we introduce first reports of Diaporthe tectonae on C. sinensis and Diaporthe eucalyptorum from Thailand, belonging to D. sojae and D. arecae species complexes respectively. The findings of this research have the potential to offer fresh insights into approximately two previously documented species within the existing endophytic fungal community associated with C. sinensis. This, in turn, could aid in enhancing our comprehension of their symbiotic interactions with the host plant in the times ahead.
