Contribution of leaf surface fungi to the air spora

High concentrations of airborne fungal spores frequently occur from spring through fall in temperate areas of the world. Although it is generally assumed that fungi on leaf surfaces are contributors to the air spora, little data are available comparing the types of fungi found on leaf surfaces with those in the atmosphere. Air sampling was carried out with a Burkard Spore Trap located on the roof of a building on the University of Tulsa campus using standard methods. Leaf samples were aseptically collected from Ulmus americana and Quercus palustris trees on campus, placed in sterile plastic bags, and brought to the lab. For each leaf, 4 cm² areas of both upper and lower leaf surfaces were swabbed and plated on malt extract agar with streptomycin. Cultures were incubated at room temperature for 5–7 days and then examined microscopically. Results were expressed as colony forming units (CFU)/cm². Twenty-one fungal taxa were identified from the air samples. The most abundant taxa were Cladosporium, ascospores, basidiospores, and Alternaria; together these four spore types comprised over 90% of the yearly total. Yeasts were the most abundant fungi isolated from both leaf types. Among the mycelial fungi were Phoma species, followed by Cladosporium and Alternaria. Overall twenty genera of filamentous fungi were identified. Yeasts and Phoma are normally splash dispersed and were not identified in the Burkard air samples. However, 10 taxa isolated from leaf surfaces were registered in air samples. Crude estimates of the leaf surface area of each tree suggest that the total fungal load was approximately 5.04×10⁸ CFU for Ulmus and 2.71×10⁸ CFU for Quercus. Of these levels, 19% were from fungi also detected in air samples. The data suggest that some leaf-surface fungi are major contributors to the air spora.     

Fertile fungal spores collected on different faced surfaces in the atmosphere of Giza,Egypt

A quantitative and qualitative survey was carried out for airborne fungus spores coming into contact with horizontally and vertically gravitation sampling oriented surfaces in the atmosphere of Giza city. Czapek Dox agar, malt extract agar, potato dextrose agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar Petri dishes were exposed monthly to the five oriented surfaces of a polystyrene cube, throughout a one-year period. Significant differences (P < 0.01) were observed between the total counts of caught airborne fungi contacting with the horizontal compared to other vertically oriented surfaces. Conversely, there were no significant differences observed between the total catch of airborne fungi using the various sampling media. The results revealed that vertical sampling provides valuable information that may be lost from horizontal sampling alone. A total of 5,053 colonies belonging to 40 fungal organisms were identified. Alternaria (24.26%), Aspergillus (19.2%), Cladosporium (14.5%) and Penicillium (11.43%) were the most predominant fungal genera. Collected fungi were grouped into high, medium, low and rare components depending upon their frequency in the studied atmosphere. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus parasiticus, Alternaria, Cladosporium and Penicillium were regularly found on all oriented surfaces. However, Arthrobotrys, Biospora, Chaetomium, Pleospora, Trichothecium and Verticillium were rarely found in the air. Positive and/or negative correlations were observed between the total fungal counts and the predominant fungal types with meteorological parameters during sampling days.     

Airspora Studies Over a Rice (High Yielding Variety) Field in Rabi Season in the State of West Bengal, India

Aeromycoflora studies over a paddy field in West Bengal during rabi season were initiated with the help of culture plate exposure technique for two consecutive crop seasons. The total CFUs was found to vary with growth stages, since the null hypothesis about the number of spores at different stages got rejected at 5% level of significance. A more or less uniform spore count was recorded up to maximum vegetative growth stages after that there were a gradual rise in count with peaks (214 and 444CFUs, respectively) during harvesting of the two crop seasons. A number of fungi was isolated.. The dominant genus identified was Cladosporium which appeared in huge amount in the earlier stages; declined gradually in late stages with the onset of summer showing a seasonal periodicity. Penicillium showed a reverse picture. Its' predominancy was increased with the termination of winter and simultaneously increased with increase in temperature. Curvularia showed no seasonal variation. Alternaria, Fusarium, Helminthosporium and Nigrospora were the phytopathogenic fungi recorded from air; of which Alternaria was the dominant. Alternaria was recorded to be present regularly with peaks at flowering onwards. A species of Alternaria was detected as a virulent disease causing agent in this variety of rice which caused leaf damage to the host plant. It was heavily present at later stages, also confirmed by statistical analysis. Fusarium, Helminthosporium and Nigrospora were found more or less frequently. Fungi failed to sporulate were grouped under sterile forms and were found regularly throughout the period of investigation.     

Occurrence of fungal spores in the respiratory tract and homes of patients with positive skin test to fungi

The occurrence of fungal spores in the upper respiratory tract and in the homes of 86 patients with allergic manifestations and positive skin tests for fungi has been investigated.Alternaria tenuis andCladosporium herbarum have been more frequently found to give positive reactions, followed byAspergillus mix,Candida albicans andPenicillium notatum. Cladosporium andAlternaria represented also the most common moulds isolated from nasal specimens. The prevalent fungi isolated from patients' environments wereCladosporium, Penicillium andAlternaria, occurring respectively in 93%, 78% and 72% of the homes sampled. An examination of individual cases have revealed a surprisingly close correlation, in 47 out of 86 patients, between positive skin test response and presence in high amount of the same fungi in patient's respiratory tract and home. In the majority of cases the fungi involved wereAlternaria and/orCladosporium.     

Occurrence of fungal spores in the respiratory tract and homes of patients with positive skin test to fungi

The occurrence of fungal spores in the upper respiratory tract and in the homes of 86 patients with allergic manifestations and positive skin tests for fungi has been investigated.Alternaria tenuis andCladosporium herbarum have been more frequently found to give positive reactions, followed byAspergillus mix,Candida albicans andPenicillium notatum. Cladosporium andAlternaria represented also the most common moulds isolated from nasal specimens. The prevalent fungi isolated from patients' environments wereCladosporium, Penicillium andAlternaria, occurring respectively in 93%, 78% and 72% of the homes sampled. An examination of individual cases have revealed a surprisingly close correlation, in 47 out of 86 patients, between positive skin test response and presence in high amount of the same fungi in patient's respiratory tract and home. In the majority of cases the fungi involved wereAlternaria and/orCladosporium.     

Rhizosphere bacteria of maize with chitinolytic activity and its potential in the control of phytopathogenic fungi

The chitinase enzyme was identified in isolated bacteria of maize rhizosphere as well as its potential for the biological control of fungi associated at seeds of the same plant. The production of chitinase enzyme was found in the genera identified as Acinetobacter, Bacterium, Burkholderia, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Rhizobium, Shewanella, Sphingomonas and Stenotrophomonas. Bacterial isolates with ability to degrade fungal mycelium from maize fungi as Fusarium and Alternaria among others, were detected. Bacterial chitinase activity and the presence of the chiA gene were determined. The inoculation of chitinolytic bacteria showed a positive effect in the control of fungi in maize seeds. The results support the potential use of chitinase enzyme producing bacteria on the control of phytopathogenic fungi.     

A study of fungal spore poupulations in the atmosphere of Kuwait

The fungal air-spora of Kuwait was investigated using the Petri-dish trapping technique. During the period from 1st April, 1974 to 30th June, 1975, a total of 3685 colonies were recorded from 2 % malt agar plates. Fifty-five genera and 116 species were identified. Alternaria occupied the first place in the order of percentage incidence, being represented by 18.3% of the entire catch, followed by Aspergillus (17.1%), Penicillium (14%), Cladosporium (13.6%), Drechslera (13.3%), and Ulocladium (7.1%). The widest spectrum of species was displayed by Aspergillus (possessed 19 species) followed by Penicillium (17 species), Alternaria (6 species), Drechslera (5 species), and Ulocladium (4 species). The monthly total number of fungi showed marked seasonal periodicity with the greatest number of colonies occurring in March–April and November. The lowest counts were recorded in mid-summer (July) and mid-winter (January). Only 220 colonies and 17 species of thermophilous fungi were reported from plates incubated at 45 °C. The most common species were Aspergillus fumigatus and A. terreus.     

The microflora of ripening barley grain and the effects of pre harvest fungicide application

Newly-emerged ears of barley soon became colonised by micro-organisms with numbers increasing to 5·8 × 10⁵ viable propagules/g dry weight by harvest. Bacteria were numerically predominant throughout. Yeasts and yeast-like fungi were also numerous during the early stages of grain development but were exceeded by propagules of filamentous fungi during ripening, with Cladosporium spp., Alternaria alternata, Epicoccum purpurascens and Verticillium lecanii most abundant. Numbers of most micro-organisms were greatest in a wet season but Alternaria was equally abundant in hot dry weather. Application of fungicides at or after anthesis modified the grain microflora. Captafol was most effective overall in decreasing numbers of fungi. However, benomyl decreased Cladosporium inoculum more than catpafol but was ineffective against Alternaria which became more numerous on benomyl-treated grain than on untreated. Yield increases of up to 4% were obtained by late fungicide treatment, least in a hot, dry year. Germination was also increased by some treatments by up to 5%.     

Nuclear Ribosomal DNA Variation and Pathogenic Specialization in Alternaria Fungi Known To Produce Host-Specific Toxins

A total of 99 strains of 11 Alternaria species, including 68 strains of seven fungi known to produce host-specific toxins, were subjected to analysis of restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) in nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA). Total DNA was digested with XbaI, and the Southern blots were probed with a nuclear rDNA clone of Alternaria kikuchiana. The hybridization gave 17 different RFLPs from the 99 strains. On the basis of these RFLPs, populations of host-specific toxin-producing fungi could not be differentiated from one another nor from nonpathogenic A. alternata. Each population of the toxin-producing fungi carried rDNA variants. Nine different types, named A1 to A6 and B1 to B3, were detected among the toxin-producing fungi and nonpathogenic A. alternata. All of the populations contained the type A4 variant, and the other rDNA types were also shared by different toxin-producing fungi and A. alternata. In contrast, Alternaria species that are morphologically distinguishable from A. alternata could be differentiated from A. alternata on the basis of the rDNA RFLPs. Polymorphisms in rDNA digested with HaeIII and MspI were also evaluated in 61 Alternaria strains. These restriction enzymes produced 31 variations among all of the samples. The seven toxin-producing fungi and nonpathogenic A. alternata could not be resolved by phylogenetic analysis based on the RFLPs, although they could be differentiated from the other Alternaria species studied. These results provide support for the hypothesis that Alternaria fungi known to produce host-specific toxins are intraspecific variants of A. alternata specialized in pathogenicity.     

Study of endophytic fungal community from different parts of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aegle marmelos</Emphasis> Correae (Rutaceae) from Varanasi (India)

Endophytic fungi were isolated from healthy, living, and symptomless tissues of inner bark, leaf, and roots of Aegle marmelos, a well-known medicinal plant, growing in different parts of India including Varanasi. A total of 79 isolates of endophytic fungi were isolated, representing 21 genera, adopting a standard isolation protocol. Members of the deuteromycotina were more prevalent than ascomycotina and others. The result was quite encouraging in terms of maximum isolates recovery from hyphomycetes (78.5%) followed by ascomycetes (8.9%) and coelomycetes (7.6%) respectively, which corroborates previous studies in same area. However, 5.1% isolates remained unidentified and were classified under Mycelia Sterilia. No isolate was obtained from either basidiomycotina or from zygomycotina. Fusarium spp. had maximum colonization frequency (8.00%) in this plant. The other dominant endophytic genera were Aspergillus spp., Alternaria sp., Drechslera sp., Rhizoctonia sp., Curvularia sp., Nigrospora sp., and Stenella sp. Only two ascomycetous members Chaetomium globosum and Emericella sp. (perfect state of Aspergillus sp.) were obtained from the bark sample. These results indicated that distribution of endophytic fungi within the A. marmelos is not even. Bark harbors more endophytic fungi than leaf and root.     

Culturable Fungi of Stored ‘Golden Delicious’ Apple Fruits: A One-Season Comparison Study of Organic and Integrated Production Systems in Switzerland

The effects of organic and integrated production systems on the culturable fungal microflora of stored apple fruits from five matched pairs of certified organic and integrated ‘Golden Delicious’ farms were studied at five representative production sites in Switzerland. Isolated fungi were identified morphologically. Colonization frequency (percentage of apples colonized), abundance (colony numbers), and diversity (taxon richness) were assessed for each orchard. The standard quality of the stored fruits was comparable for both organic and integrated apples and complied with national food hygiene standards. Yeasts (six taxa) and the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans were the dominant epiphytes, filamentous fungi (21 taxa) the dominant endophytes. The most common fungi occurred at all sites and belonged to the “white” and “pink” yeasts, yeast-like A. pullulans, filamentous fungi Cladosporium spp., Alternaria spp., and sterile filamentous fungi. Canonical correspondence analysis of the total fungal community revealed a clear differentiation among production systems and sites. Compared to integrated apples, organic apples had significantly higher frequencies of filamentous fungi, abundance of total fungi, and taxon diversity. The effects of the production system on the fungal microflora are most likely due to the different plant protection strategies. The incidence of potential mycotoxin producers such as Penicillium and Alternaria species was not different between production systems. We suggest that higher fungal diversity may generally be associated with organic production and may increase the level of beneficial and antagonistically acting species known for their potential to suppress apple pathogens, which may be an advantage to organic apples, e.g., in respect to natural disease control.     

Indoor airborne fungi as risk factors in IgE-mediated respiratory allergy

The purpose of this epidemiological study was to assess respiratory allergy in relation to the presence of indoor airborne fungi. The relationship between IgE-mediated respiratory allergy (skin test positivity) and the presence of fungi (CFU/m³) in the indoor environments of 104 subjects was assessed in a cross-sectional study by controlling for extraneous variables (age, gender, predisposition, asthma, rhinitis, skin positivity to ragweed and mite, and smoking). The qualitative and quantitative measurements of airborne seasonal fungi (Alternaria spp. andCladosporium spp.) and non-seasonal airborne fungi (Penicillium spp. andAspergillus spp.) were taken in the subjects’ indoor environments twice in a 2-year period by volumetric methods (Burkard Personal Sampler). There was a significant association between skin test positivity to seasonal fungi and to ragweed (Adj. OR=3.42, CI=1.76–6.66). There was no association between skin test positivity to seasonal fungi and asthma (Adj. OR=0.52, CI=0.28–0.98), but a significant association was found between skin test positivity to seasonal fungi and rhinitis (Adj. OR=5, CI=2.03–12.32). In a logistic regression analysis (maximum likelihood estimates—model A), no statistical association was found indoors between skin prick test positivity to seasonal fungi (Alternaria and/orCladosporium) and airborneAlternaria and/orCladosporium concentrations (Adj. OR=1.18, CI=0.66–2.07). There was a significant association between skin prick test positivity to seasonal fungi and to non-seasonal fungi (Adj. OR=12.81, CI=1.67–98.34). There was no association between asthma and airbornePenicillium concentrations (Adj. OR=1.86, CI=0.47–7.33) nor between rhinitis and airbornePenicillium concentrations (Adj. OR=0.18, CI=0.03–1.19). In another logistic regression analysis (maximum likelihood estimates — model B) using non-seasonal fungi (Aspergillus andPenicillium), no statistical association was found indoors between skin prick test positivity to non-seasonal fungi and airbornePenicillium concentrations (Adj. OR=0.33, CI=0.07–1.69). These findings suggest an association between rhinitis and seasonal fungi. In the rhinitis stratum, subjects who had skin test positivity to ragweed had a higher risk of being sensitive to seasonal airborne fungal allergens. Subjects with non-seasonal fungal allergy had a high relative risk if they were also allergic to seasonal fungi. There was no association between asthma and airborne fungi, as the epidemiological study (cross-sectional design), by definition, does not allow an etiological evaluation of chronic disease. This would require a longitudinal study, i.e. the measurement of repeated exposure as an independent variable (allergen) and repeated measurement as a function of the disease as outcome in humans as a dependent variable.     

Inhibitory effect of essential oil from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Nepeta rtanjensis</Emphasis> on fungal spore germination

The ability of Nepeta rtanjensis essential oil to inhibit conidia germination of fungi was evaluated in vitro. Tested fungi included in research were Cladosporium cladosporioides, Trichoderma viride and two Alternaria species originally isolated from N. rtanjensis. The conidia of Cladosporium cladosporioides were most susceptible to the N. rtanjensis essential oil treatment, and the oil concentration of 0.1 μg ml⁻¹ caused the maximum of conidia germination inhibition. The highest concentration used in experiment that caused the maximum of conidia germination inhibition was 0.6 μg ml⁻¹ for Alternaria isolated from leaf surface of N. rtanjensis. The germ tube elongation of Alternaria isolates significantly decreased in response of different concentrations of oil used in experiment.     

An aerobiological study in the rural areas of Aragon (Spain) with a high population of pigs

The development of intensive livestock farming in the swine industry has created problems associated not only with disease control but also with the disposal of excreta and other waste products. Both waste products and animals can contaminate the air of confinement swine buildings and their surroundings. The objective of this work was to determine the concentration and species composition of the bacterial and fungal microflora in the air of different villages with a high population of pigs in their surroundings. Outdoor air sampling was conducted in 24 rural urban nucleus of Aragon (Spain). In each site, three sampling points were done: one in the center of the town, another in the outskirts of the same town, and the last one in the surrounding farms. Microorganisms were isolated with a sampler Surface Air System (S.A.S.). In the quantitative analysis, the potential risk of exposure to airborne microorganisms decreased outside and near of the farms and, of course, in other sampling points, because the airborne levels of total bacteria and fungi found in the three points are similar, slightly higher in the surrounding farms and lower inside of the buildings. The genera Staphylococcus and Bacillus among isolated Grampositive bacteria were the most common, while among the Gram-negative genera often were Alcaligenes and Acinetobacter in most cases observed. In fungi, the most isolated genera were Cladosporium, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria, which are very important aeroallergens. In this work, were found no differences between the three sampling, which are indicative of few microbial contamination of the air from swine confinement buildings at short distances.     

A comparative study on the airborne fungi in Athens,Greece, by viable and non-viable sampling methods

Airborne fungi were studied in the city of Athens using two complementary methods in which 136 concurrent samplings were carried out during the 12-month period from January until December 1998. A portable Burkard air sampler for agar plates was used for trapping the culturable portion of the mycobiota. Nineteen genera of fungi were identified and assessed in terms of total numbers and fluctuations in concentration (Alternaria, Arthrinium, Aspergillus, Aureobasidium, Botrytis, Chrysonilia, Cladosporium, Drechslera, Epicoccum, Fusarium, Mucor, Nigrospora, Paecilomyces, Penicillium, Rhizopus, Sclerotinia, Scopulariopsis, Trichoderma and Ulocladium), with the exception of those included in the Sphaeropsidales, the yeasts, and the non-sporulating fungi, which were counted as groups. A volumetric Burkard air sampler for glass slides was operating simultaneously for detecting the total mycobiota, including the non-culturable and the non-viable portion. Ascospores, basidiospores, spores of Myxomycetes, Ustilaginales, Uredinales and Erysiphales, teliospores of Puccinia, as well as conidia of the genera Curvularia, Helminthosporium, Periconia, Pestalotiopsis, Pithomyces, Polythrincium, Stachybotrys, Stemphylium and Torula were also recorded. Only seven of the genera were recovered by both samplers. The total numbers of fungal spores, which had a maximum concentration of 3,175 spores/m³, as well as the spore concentrations of the genera Cladosporium (2,565 spores/m³) and Alternaria (280 spores/m³) were underestimated by the viable method (2,435 CFU/m³ for the total, 2,169 CFU/m³ for Cladosporium and 180 CFU/m³ for Alternaria). The non-viable method fails to resolve the identification of the genera Penicillium and Aspergillus, which are major components of the airborne mycobiota (1,068 CFU/m³ and 204 CFU/m³, respectively) based on recovery by the viable method.     

Endophytic fungi from a pharmaceutical plant, Camptotheca acuminata: isolation, identification and bioactivity

About 174 endophytic fungi were isolated from the pharmaceutical plant, Camptotheca acuminata. Of the 18 taxa obtained, non-sporulating fungi (48.9%), Alternaria (12.6%), Phomopsis (6.9%), Sporidesmium (6.3%), Paecilomyces (4.6%) and Fusarium (4.6%) were dominant. ITS rDNA assay indicated that most of the non-sporulating fungi belonged to the Pyrenomycetes and Loculoascomycetes ascomycetes or their anamorph Coelomycetes. The results of the bioactivity test showed that 27.6% of the endophytic fungi displayed inhibition against more than one indicator microorganism. 4.0% and 2.3% of the endophytic fungi showed cytotoxicity and protease inhibition, respectively. The endophytic fungi with bioactivities were distributed in more than 12 taxa including non-sporulating fungi, which are reliable sources for bioactive agents.     

Seasonal variation of fungal spore populations in the atmosphere of Zarqa area,Jordan

Fungi are among the most important aeroallergens. The aim of this study was to provide aeromycological baseline information about Zarqa area, Jordan, for the first time. During the entire survey and from 170 settle plate exposures, a total of 735 mould- and 274 yeast colony-forming units (CFU) were collected. mould colonies were assigned to 35 genera and 59 species. The highest abundance was attributed to Cladosporium with a percentage of 29.1% of the total colony count followed by Fusarium 20%, Alternaria 7.7%, Ulocladium 6.5% Penicillium 4.2% and then Aspergillus 3.6%. Cladosporium showed one peak in October while Aspergillus and Penicillium peaked in September. Fusarium peaked in May and August and Alternaria in March and July. However, Ulocladium showed almost the same abundance from March to June and then in September and December. A double peak in total colony count and fungal diversity was found, the first was in March and the second in November–December. Significant differences of total fungal colony counts favouring the 1500 hours collection time over that at 1000 hours were found between November and January while no such significant differences were obtained between February and April. Our results also indicated differences in species composition between the two periods in different months. Spores of the three abundant species, Cladosporium, Fusarium and Alternaria, might favour high release in the 1500 hours period during winter while having a similar incidence during the two periods in the spring months.     

Side-Effects of Field Applications of 'Propiconazol' and 'Captafol' on the Composition of Non-target Soil Fungi in Spring Barley

The results show great seasonal variation in number and composition of the fungi isolated from the upper soil layer, especially owing to an increased isolation of primary saprophytic fungi during the late growing season. Before fungicide treatment no statistically significant difference was measured between the number of isolated fungi from the examined soils. During the treatment period significantly fewer fungi were isolated from plots treated with ‘captafol’ or ‘propiconazol’ than from the untreated plots. The differences between untreated and treated plots were not statistically significant 30 days after the last treatment. The ecotoxicological effect on the total isolated fungal flora thus seems negligible. However the fungi responded differen, tly to treatment with ‘captafol’ and ‘propiconazol’. None of the fungi were significantly affected for more than a month when treated with ‘propiconazol’. The number of primary saprophytic fungi (Cladosporium spp., Alternaria spp., Epicoccum purpurascens, and Stemphylium sp.) and Sphaeropsidales, however, was significantly reduced for more than a month when treated with ‘captafol’.     

Fungi of certain stored vegetable seeds in relation to pre- and post-emergence effects

A number of fungi were found associated with stored cauliflower, common bean, and pea seeds, but onlyHelminthosporium sp. on cauliflower,Fusarium sp. on common bean, andAlternaria sp. on pea were proved pathogenic. Artificial inoculation tests withHelminthosporium sp.,Fusarium sp., andAlternaria sp. resulted in 30, 16.6, and 26.6 % pre-emergence injuries to cauliflower, common bean, and pea respectively. Also, these fungi were responsible for considerable post-emergence mortality of seedlings.

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Zusammenfassung Eine Anzahl von Pilzen sind mit dem Samen von Karfiol, Bohnen und Erbsen vergesellschaftet gefunden worden.Helminthosporium sp. nur an Karfiol,Fusarium sp. nur an Bohnen undAlternaria sp. nur an Erbsen haben sich als pathogen erwiesen. Küristliche Einimpfung mitHelminthosporium sp.,Fusarium sp., undAlternaria sp. gab positive Resultate in 30, 16.6, und 26.6 % bezw. in Karfiol, Bohnen und Erbsen. Diese Pilzen waren auch für das Absterben junger Pflanzen verantwortlich.

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Portion of a thesis submitted by the senior author to the Agra University, Agra, India, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of M.Sc. (Ag.).     

Diversity and plant growth-promoting ability of endophytic fungi from the five flower plant species collected from Yunnan,Southwest China

The diversity and plant growth-promoting ability of endophytic fungi associated with the five flower plant species growing in Yunnan, Southwest China, were investigated. A total of 357 culturable endophytic fungi were isolated from 1000 segments of healthy leaves and stems of the five plant species. Based on the morphological characteristics and the rDNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) analysis, the isolates were identified to 24 taxa, of which Alternaria, Phomopsis, Cladosporium, and Colletotrichum were the dominant genera. The Sorenson's coefficient similarity indices of the endophytic fungi from the five flower plant species ranged from 0.36 to 0.80. It was found that the similarity index between two cultivated flowers (0.8) or the similarity index between two wild flowers (0.71–0.76) was higher than the similarity index between one cultivated flower and one wild flower (0.36–0.48). The Shannon indices (H) of the endophytic fungi from the five plant species ranged from 1.73 to 2.45, and the diversity indices of the wild flowers were higher than those of the cultivated flowers. The plant growth-promoting tests indicated that some isolates could improve the host plants' growth more efficiently when compared with the control (p < 0.05, least significant difference test).