Endophytic fungi alter foraging and dispersal by desert seed-harvesting ants

Endophytic fungi are thought to interact mutualistically with host plants by producing alkaloid metabolites that deter herbivory. Since such fungi are transmitted via seed in some grasses, the presence of endophytes may also protect plants from seed predators. We conducted seed choice experiments for two dominant seed harvesting ants, Pogonomyrmex rugosus in the Sonoran desert and Pogonomyrmex occidentalis at a higher elevation, riparian zone in Arizona, USA. Non-infected fescue (Festuca arundinacea) seeds and seeds infected with the endophytic fungus, Acremonium coenophialum, were presented to ant colonies in three different populations. Infected seeds were harvested less frequently than non-infected seed for the two populations of Pogonomyrmex rugosus but not for the population of Pogonomyrmex occidentalis. We also a conducted seed dispersal experiment for one population of Pogonomyrmex rugosus. Of the seeds that were harvested, most of the colonies discarded more infected seeds into refuse piles than expected by chance. Seeds discarded into refuse piles have greater germination success than surrounding areas. The most important interaction of endophytes and grasses may be deterrence of seed predation and enhancing the probability of germinating in favorable sites, since these processes directly increase plant fitness.     

Multiple mycorrhizal associations of individual calcicole host plants in the alpine grass-heath zone

Summary Mycorrhizal colonization of the fibrous roots of alpine grasses and perennial herbs in microhabitats on rendzina soil were examined. Various host plants were associated simultaneously with more than one species of vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. All dominant graminoids had a high degree of endomycorrhizal infection. Septate endophytes (Phialophora sp., Rhizoctonia sp.) often occurred together with Acaulospora sp., Glomus tenue, G. tortuosum and Scutelispora calospora on individual hosts.     

Potential antagnosim of cultivated and wild grass–endophyte associations towards Meloidogyne incognita

Potential antagonism towards plant-parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita by grass–endophyte associations and their corresponding endophytes was evaluated. The following grass-endophyte associations were studied: (1) the cultivated grass Schedonorus arundinaceus-Neotyphodium coenophialum, (2) the wild grass Leymus chinensis-Neotyphodium sp. and (3) the wild grass Achnatherum sibiricum-Neotyphodium sibiricum. The cultivated grass Schedonorus arundinaceus was used to evaluate the effect of the endophyte fungus on chemotaxis of M. incognita. The results showed a significant negative effect on chemotaxis of the second-stage juveniles (J2) of M. incognita towards S. arundinaceus-N. coenophialum plants (P < 0.05). The associations of the grass S. arundinaceus-N. coenophialum and the wild grass A. sibiricum-N. sibiricum were used for testing their effect on penetration of grasses by J2. The wild grass A. sibiricum-N. sibiricum association appeared to suppress J2 penetration. N. coenophialum, Neotyphodium sp. and N. sibiricum isolated from cultivated and wild grasses respectively were used for measuring their effect on J2 mortality. Undiluted culture filtrates of all endophytic fungi caused significantly high J2 mortality 72.6% for N. coenphialum, 91.7% for Neotyphodium sp. and 66.8% for N. sibiricum. Finally, the penetration of cucumber roots by J2 pretreated by the filtrates of the three endophytic fungi was also tested. N. sibiricum filtrate significantly reduced the number of J2 penetrations by 44.5% and no significant effect in the treatment of the filtrates of Neotyphodium sp. from L. chinensis. Taken together, endophytic fungi of the genus Neotyphodium might be a potential source of biological control agents for plant parasitic nematodes.     

内生真菌对草坪植物病原真菌抑制作用的比较

分别从野生牧草羽茅(Achnatherum sibiricum (L.) Keng)、栽培种高羊茅(Festuca arundinacea Schreb.)(品种Millennium)、栽培种黑麦草(Lolium perenne L.) (品种Justus)中分离出内生真菌Neotyphodium sp.、N. coenophialum和N. lolli,通过体外培养法比较了这3种内生真菌对草坪植物病原真菌的抑制作用.结果表明,从羽茅中分离的内生真菌Neotyphodium sp.在两菌相交前对所有供试的病原真菌都有一定的抑制作用,其中对枝孢霉属(Cladosporium sp.)、弯孢霉属(Curvularia sp.)和拟茎点属(Phomopsis sp.)病原真菌的抑制效果尤为显著,对峙培养3d后的抑菌率分别达70.1%、52.3%和30.9%,营养竞争作用、重寄生作用是其主要的拮抗机制;从高羊茅中分离的内生真菌N. coenophialum对枝孢霉属病原真菌存在一定的抑制作用;而从黑麦草中分离的内生真菌N. lolli与病原真菌对峙培养时,病原真菌菌落慢慢侵占整个营养空间,内生真菌停止生长并逐渐褐变死亡.体外培养结果说明Neotyphodium sp.对供试病原真菌的拮抗效果优于N. coenophialum和N. lolli,由此推测Neotyphodium sp.与宿主植物羽茅的共生可能有利于宿主植物抵抗病原真菌的侵扰.     

Enhancement of the efficiency of Cd phytoextraction using bacterial endophytes isolated from Chromolaena odorata,a Cd hyperaccumulator

Phytoextraction is a technique using a hyperaccumulator to remove heavy metals from soil. The efficiency of heavy metal uptake can be enhanced by the inoculation of endophytes. In this study, we isolated and identified 23 endophytes from Chromolaena odorata, a cadmium (Cd) hyperaccumulator that consisted of 19 bacteria, 2 actinomycetes and 2 fungi. All bacteria and fungi could produce at least 1 plant growth promoting factors. However, only 4 bacterial isolates; Paenibacillus sp. SB12, Bacillus sp. SB31, Bacillus sp. LB51, and Alcaligenes sp. RB54 showed the highest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value (2.9 mM), followed by Exiguobacterium sp.RB51 (1.7 mM). Then, these 5 high-MIC bacteria and 1 low-MIC bacterium, Bacillus sp. LB15 were inoculated onto sunflower grown in soil supplemented with 250 mg/kg of Cd. After 60 days, all inoculated plants accumulated significantly higher Cd concentration than the non-inoculated counterparts, and those inoculated with strain LB51 showed the highest Cd accumulation and growth. Interestingly, strain LB15 with low MIC also enhanced Cd accumulation in plants. The results suggest that these bacteria, particularly strain LB51, could be applied to improve Cd accumulation in plants, and that bacteria with low MIC also have the potential to enhance the efficiency of phytoextraction.     

Susceptibility of tall fescue to Rhizoctonia zeae infection as affected by endophyte symbiosis

Endophytic fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium often form symbiotic associations with grasses. The host plants usually benefit from the association with an endophyte. Presence of the symbiont may increase host resistance to infection by some pathogens. However, the exact mechanism of the lower susceptibility of endophyte‐infected plants to diseases is still unclear. Growth chamber trials were conducted to determine whether (a) tall fescue plants infected with the endophyte Neotyphodium coenophialum (E+) are more resistant to sheath and leaf spot disease caused by Rhizoctonia zeae than endophyte‐free (E?) plants, and (b) R. zeae growth inhibition is associated with endophyte presence. Tall fescue genotypes, each symbiotic with a genetically different native endophyte strain, were inoculated with isolates of R. zeae. The tillers infection by R. zeae, density of endophyte hyphae and content of total phenolic compounds in tillers were studied. Antifungal activity of the N. coenophialum towards R. zeae, Rhizoctonia solani, Bipolaris sorokiniana and Curvularia lunata was also investigated in dual‐culture assays. For Tf3, Tf4, TfA2 and TfA9 tall fescue genotypes, the E+ plants had reduced R. zeae infection. In the Tf9 and Tf8085 genotypes, R. zeae infection was similar for both E+ and E? plants. The strongest effect was observed for the Tf4 endophyte. A strongly positive correlation (r = 0.94) occurred between endophyte hyphal density and disease index across all tall fescue genotypes. Dual‐culture assays showed no inhibitory interaction between the seven endophyte strains and the R. zeae isolates; however, some endophytes inhibited R. solani, B. sorokiniana and C. lunata. Endophyte presence increased the production of phenolic compounds by the host grasses. The level of phenolics also differed significantly depending on the time of analysis after inoculation of plants by R. zeae. The results indicate that N. coenophialum can suppress disease severity caused by R. zeae infection. The mechanism of higher resistance of E+ plants is likely not based on direct inhibition such as antibiosis or competition. Thus, the induction of specific mechanisms in the host plant, for example, production of phenolic compounds, seems to be the main way of providing resistance to the grass by the endophyte.     

Acremonium as an endophytic bioagent against date palm Fusarium wilt

A total of 250 endophytic fungal isolates, representing 30 morphotaxa, were isolated and characterised, they were collected from the different living symptomless parts of date palm trees of orchards of six Egyptian governorates. Colonisation was greater in samples from the midrib than in those from laminar tissue and slightly greater at the tip of the lamina compared with the base of the leaf. Acremonium spp. were frequently isolated as date palm root endophytes. Acremonium isolates were screened in Petri dishes to select the highest antagonistic one against an Algerian isolate of Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. albedinis. Two-week-old axenically reared date palm seedlings grown in Petri dishes were directly injected with spore suspension (1.5?×?10⁷ spores/ml) of a pure culture of the virulent antagonistic isolate of Acremonium sp. One week after endophytic colonisation, date palm seedlings were then challenged with the pathogen, Fusarium albedinis. The challenged seedlings exhibited a significant reduction in wilt symptom percentage (by 87.0%), while the seedlings exposed to Fusarial toxin without pathogen exhibited the wilt disease symptoms. This indicates that the endophyte ably depresses any toxic action of F. albedinis. The endophytic fungus was recovered from sites distant from the point of inoculation after six?months from the application, indicating that the Acremonium sp. has the potential to move throughout the tissue plant, even the end time of trial. The Acremonium mode of action, as a biocontrol agent, was discussed.     

Induction of Defence Responses in Roots and Mesocotyls of Sorghum Seedlings by Inoculation with Fusarium thapsinum and F. proliferatum, Wounding and Light

The defence reactions of sorghum seedlings 7 days after inoculation with Fusarium thapsinum and F. proliferatum, and interactions with wounding and exposure to light were studied to determine whether responses to these fungi differed from those to abiotic stresses. In non‐wounded plants, inoculation with both fungi increased concentrations of anthocyanins and soluble phenolics and activities of peroxidase (POX), chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase in the roots, and increased β‐1,3‐glucanase activity in the mesocotyls. There was no effect of inoculation on phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase (PAL) activity. Wounding by itself increased anthocyanin content of mesocotyls. Wounding also had a variety of interactions with inoculation. Exposure to light had very little effect on any defence response measured. A time course experiment showed that induction of chitinase and β‐1,3‐glucanase occurred in less than 24 h after inoculation. POX activity increased 2 days after inoculation, followed by a transient increase in PAL activity. The content of anthocyanins and soluble phenolics in roots of inoculated seedlings increased gradually compared with controls over 6 days. The responses of sorghum seedlings to inoculation with F. thapsinum and F. proliferatum were similar to those found by other workers following challenge by necrotrophic pathogens and were different from those induced by wounding and exposure to light.     

Aspergillus terreus and fescue toxicosis

The incidence ofAspergillus terreus recovered fromAcremonium coenophialum-infected and non-infected tall fescue grass and from the rumens of heifers grazing on the grasses was determined. The recovery ofA. terreus fromA. coenophialum-infected grass was similar to that from non-infected grass. The same was true of the recovery from the rumens of heifers on infected and non-infected grass. All heifers grazing onA. coenophialum-infected grass showed symptoms of the summer syndrome manifestation of fescue toxicosis while those grazing on non-infected grass did not;A. terreus is not a factor in fescue toxicosis in cattle. Hatch Project #630, Alabama Agricultural Experiment Station, Auburn, Alabama 36849. AAES Journal No. 18-881477P.     

Mycorrhizal synthesis of four ectomycorrhizal fungi in potted <Emphasis Type="Italic">Populus maximowiczii</Emphasis> seedlings

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) syntheses between four ECM fungi, Laccaria amethystina, Hebeloma mesophaeum, Thelephora terrestris, and Tomentella sp., and Populus maximowiczii seedlings that are known to form ECM at a denuded area of Mt. Usu were performed in volcanic debris in a controlled growth chamber. The percentage of ECM colonization and seedling growth were determined 3 months after inoculation. Seedlings were successfully colonized by the inoculated ECM fungi with low contamination ratios. Seedling height and biomass were larger in the inoculated seedlings than in the control, although the effects of inoculation on seedling growth varied with the ECM fungus.     

Effects of attack of saprobic fungi on twig litter decomposition by endophytic fungi

Endophytic fungi of healthy twig tissues act as dominant primary colonizers of twig litters and are exposed to the attacks of saprobic secondary colonizers. In the present study, we examined the effect of interspecific interactions on the decay rate of twigs in laboratory experiments using two endophytic ascomycetes (Phomopsis sp. and Xylaria sp.) and two saprobic basidiomycetes (Mycena polygramma and Phanerochaete filamentosa) on twigs of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) as a model system. Both endophytes were defensive against two saprobes on 2% malt agar, and were not replaced by the saprobes in the twigs during the incubation period. However, inoculation of the saprobes reduced the mass loss of twig components (acid-unhydrolyzable residue (AUR), holocellulose, soluble carbohydrate, and polyphenol). Especially when the twigs previously inoculated with Xylaria sp. or Phomopsis sp. were successively inoculated with M. polygramma the net weight of AUR increased, which was probably due to the synthesized melanin in hyphae of the endophytes. Our findings indicate that interspecific interactions between endophytic and saprobic fungi do affect the total mass of humic substances produced during the litter decay process.     

Evaluation of the potential role of water in spread of conidia of the Neotyphodium endophyte of Poa ampla

Neotyphodium endophytes are asexual, filamentous fungi, mutualistically associated with diverse cool season grasses. Infected seeds and vegetative organs of infected host plants are the only known modes of propagation of the asexual endophytes. In the last decade certain Epichloë and Neotyphodium-infected grass species have been shown to have epiphyllous structures of the endophytes, hyphae, conidiophores, and conidia, growing on leaf blades. The production of epiphyllous conidia suggests the possibility that some of these endophytes may have the ability for plant-to-plant spread. The objective of this study was to determine the possible mechanisms involved in liberation and dispersal of asexual spores of Neotyphodium growing in vitro and epiphyllously on leaves of Poa ampla. Our results indicate that water dispersal is the most likely means of dissemination of conidia of the Neotyphodium sp. Wind generated by dry compressed air does not dislodge the conidia from slide cultures or from P. ampla leaves.     

Colonization and lignin decomposition of Camellia japonica leaf litter by endophytic fungi

Endophytic fungi occur on various types of leaf litter, but few studies have been done on their roles as saprophytes in decomposition. This study examined the succession of fungi in live, newly shed, and decomposing leaves at 2 months of decomposition of Camellia japonica and chemical changes in decomposing leaves colonized by endophytes. Coccomyces nipponicum, Lophodermium sp., Geniculosporium sp. 1, and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides were isolated from living leaves. Coccomyces nipponicum and Lophodermium sp. were also isolated frequently from newly shed and decomposing leaves. These two fungi caused a decrease of lignin content and bleaching in decomposing leaves under field and laboratory conditions. Total hyphal length in decomposing leaves was higher in bleached portions than in surrounding nonbleached portions, which probably reflected the early onset of hyphal growth of endophytes inside leaf tissue at leaf senescence or death. Incubation of newly shed leaves that were sterilized to exclude previously established endophytes resulted in no occurrence of bleached portions in decomposing leaves on the forest floor. This result indicated that these endophytes were incapable of colonizing leaves directly after litterfall and that the persistence of endophytes from live leaves was crucial for their colonization in decomposing leaves.     

Influence of fungal isolates infecting tall fescue on multitrophic interactions

The epichloae are ascomycetous fungi in the genera Epichloë and Neotyphodium that live within grasses. Some of these fungi produce alkaloids that can help protect the host from herbivores. The alkaloids may also travel up the food web and affect members of the third trophic level. In this way they can produce trophic cascades which are rippling effects when a trophic level impacts those above or below it. We briefly summarize the general patterns of multitrophic effects of endophytes and highlight the most recent studies on this topic. Further, we report on our study in which we tested if different fungal strains in tall fescue (cultivar Jesup) affect multitrophic interactions involving aphids and their parasitoid natural enemies. Using both the common strain of N. coenophialum and a novel isolate (AR577), we allowed potted plants to be colonized by aphids and parasitoids in a semi-natural setting. We found that endophyte infection of tall fescue resulted in greater vegetative growth of the plant. We also found that N. coenophialum modified bottom-up cascades by depressing both aphid and parasitoid densities. Finally, we found that multitrophic effects were modified by fungal isolate: the common strain had stronger negative impacts on aphid and parasitoid densities than did the novel isolate.     

Flavonoids and Growth Hormones Influence Endophytic Colonization and in Planta Nitrogen Fixation by a Diazotrophic Serratia sp. in Rice

Summary Several endophytic diazotrophs were isolated from cultivars of rice and screened for their diazotrophy by nitrogenase assay and amplification of partial nifH gene. Ability of one of the diazotrophic endophytes, Serratia sp. (isolate EDA2 from cultivar ADT36) to colonize the rice seedlings grown in the presence of flavonoids and growth hormones, under gnotobiotic condition was assessed in cultivar ADT36 using a strain marked with transposon-based egfp and Km ^r . The endophytic colonization was monitored through re-isolation from different parts of rice seedlings in LB+Km plates. Addition of the flavonoids quercetin and diadzein to the growth medium increased the extent of endophytic colonization of the conjugant in rice seedlings by colonizing throughout the plant. Population and in planta nitrogenase activity of Serratia in rice seedlings were significantly increased by addition of flavonoids, quercetin and diadzein, whereas growth hormones, IAA and NAA reduced the efficiency of Serratia. The inoculation of Serratia sp. with flavonoids increased the plant biomass and biochemical constituents of rice seedlings under controlled condition.     

Fungi pathogenic to ryegrass seedlings

Summary Fungi borne on or in ryegrass (Lolium spp.) seeds or invading ryegrass seedlings grown on field soils were isolated and identified. Selected isolates were tested to determine their pathogenicity to ryegrass seedlings. Seed-borne fungi were generally weakly virulent or non-pathogenic to ryegrass seedlings. Pathogenic seed-borne fungi includedChaetomium globosum Kunze: Fr.,Curvularia trifolii (Kauffm.) Boedijn, and species ofPenicillium Link andAspergillus Mich. ex Link. Species of fungi isolated from seedlings grown on field soils de pended on soil and temperature. Soil-borne fungi pathogenic to seedlings includedFusarium avenaceum (Fr.) Sacc.,F. culmorum (W. G. Smith) Sacc.,F. equiseti (Corda) Sacc.,F. oxysporum Schlecht.: Fr.,F. solani (Mart.) Sacc.,Pythium afertile Kanouse and Humphrey,P. debaryanum auct. non Hesse,P. irregulare Buisman,P. ultimum Trow, a sphaerosporangiatePythium sp.,Chaetomium globosum, Thanatephorus cucumeris (Frank) Donk,Trichoderma koningii Oudem., and aPhomopsis sp. Individual isolates of fungi differed in virulence to ryegrass seedlings, and ryegrass cultivars differed in susceptibility to seedling pathogens.     

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and Trichoderma viride mediated Fusarium wilt control in tomato

The biocontrol potential of two arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) (Funneliformis mosseae and Acaulospora laevis) and Trichoderma viride was assessed against tomato wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f. sp. lycopersici under pot condition. All the bioagent showed appreciable results in increasing plant growth. Combined inoculation of F. mosseae, A. laevis and T. viride showed maximum increases in plant height, shoot fresh weight, root dry weight, number of leaves and number of branches per plant while dual inoculation of F. mosseae and T. viride increased rest of the growth parameters like shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root length and leaf area. AM colonisation and spore number was found highest in single inoculation of AMF, which decreases with the addition of T. viride. But, this decrease has no effect on biocontrol efficiency of bioagents. Photosynthesis, chlorophyll content and nutrient content were markedly decreased by pathogen infection. Bioagent application overcomes this effect and a remarkable increase in the plant phosphorus and nitrogen content was recorded. Among both the AMF, F. mosseae proved to be more effective strain compared to A. laevis for tomato. Maximum reduction in disease incidence and severity was recorded in combined inoculation of F. mosseae, A. laevis and T. viride. Whereas control plants without any bioagent showed maximum occurrence of disease. The findings of this study concludes that soil inoculation with F. mosseae along with root inoculation with conidial suspension of T. viride before transplantation offered better survival and resistance to tomato seedlings against Fusarium wilt.     

蛇足石杉中的新内生真菌及其代谢产物的分离与鉴定

从蛇足石杉内生菌的次级代谢产物中寻找活性成分,为进一步开发利用蛇足石杉药用植物资源提供了新途径,但至今其内生菌代谢产物的系统性研究较为少见。种类丰富的内生真菌普遍存在于各种植物中,但蕨类植物中内生真菌的研究较少。为了寻找蛇足石杉内生菌中的细胞毒活性成分,该研究从蛇足石杉根部分离得到一株球毛壳属(Chaetomium sp.)真菌M336,对其化学成分进行了研究。对蛇足石杉内生真菌M336采用PDA固体培养基扩大发酵,发酵物经提取及乙酸乙酯萃取后,通过正相硅胶柱色谱法、Sephadex LH-20凝胶柱色谱法、薄层制备、高效液相色谱等色谱手段对其发酵物中的化学成分进行分离纯化,利用理化性质、质谱、核磁等波谱分析技术,并结合相关文献数据鉴定化合物的结构。结果表明：从内生真菌M336发酵提取物的乙酸乙酯萃取部分分离并鉴定出8个化合物,分别为chaetoviridines F、chaetoviridines E、5′-epichaetoviridin A、5′-epichaetoviridin A、xanthoquinodins Al、xanthoquinodins A2、xanthoquinodins B1和毛壳菌素。从M336中分离得到8个化合物,化合物3有一定的抑菌作用,其余化合物有一定的细胞毒活性。该研究结果丰富了蛇足石杉内生真菌球毛壳属中的天然细胞毒活性的化合物。     

湖北烟草内生真菌生物多样性和种群结构分析

【目的】研究传统药用植物烟草(Nicotiana tabacum L.)内生真菌的丰富度,揭示其种群多样性和群落结构,为烟草内生真菌资源的有效利用奠定基础。【方法】采用组织分离法进行烟草内生真菌的分离,通过形态学和分子生物学相结合的方法进行菌株分类鉴定,以香农多样性指数及相对分离频率反映内生真菌物种多样性及分布规律。【结果】从不同组织部位、不同生长时期、不同海拔样地的健康烟草中共分离获得539株内生真菌,根据r DNA-ITS系统发育分析鉴定为31属73种,香农多样性指数为2.78,曲霉属Aspergillus和镰孢属Fusarium为优势菌群,其相对分离频率分别为22.63%和12.99%。其分布规律表现为茎部内生真菌的多样性高于叶部和根部;随着生育期的延长,内生真菌多样性逐步增多;随着海拔高度升高,内生真菌的种类和数量呈现降低的趋势。【结论】烟草内生真菌具有丰富的生物多样性,其分布表现出组织、生长时期、海拔高度专化性。阐明内生真菌在烟草中的分布规律,可以为烟草内生真菌在农业生产领域的开发应用提供科学依据。     

Diversity and decomposition potential of endophytes in leaves of a Cinnamomum camphora plantation in China

This study was carried out to improve our understanding of the diversity and decomposition potential of endophytes in the leaves of Cinnamomum camphora trees grown in a subtropical region of China. We isolated and identified endophytic fungi from senescent leaves of C. camphora and tested their role in decomposition through pure-culture and pre-colonization. A total of 2,861 endophytic fungi isolated from 69 leaves of C. camphora were grouped into 39 taxa comprising 36 Ascomycetes and 3 Basidiomycetes based on sporulation and ITS sequence analysis. Of these, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides was the most common species (69% relative abundance and 96% colonization frequency), followed by Cladosporium sp.1, Colletotrichum sp. and Chaetomium sp. All 39 endophytes had the ability to decompose C. camphora leaf litter in pure culture, and a few exhibited >20% litter mass loss in 2 months. In most cases, single endopyhytic species showed lower mass loss than mixed microbial groups from active soil after 60 or 120 days. In pre-inoculation, endophytic fungi like Chaetomium sp., Cladosporium sp.1, C. gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum sp. and Guignardia sp. exhibited higher abundance and caused greater mass loss, indicating the potential of these groups to enter and significantly accelerate the process of decomposition. This study concludes that, after entering the decomposition process, selected endophytic fungi with high abundance could influence significantly the decomposition process and thus probably affect carbon and nutrient cycling in C. camphora plantations.