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9 - Isolation, Diversity and Potential Use of Endophytes in the Biomass and Bioenergy Crop Miscanthus

from Part III - Diversity and Community Ecology of Endophytes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 April 2019

By
Jet Beekwilder ,
Brian R. Murphy ,
Eoin Mac Mathuna ,
Aaron Barry  and
Trevor R. Hodkinson
Edited by
Trevor R. Hodkinson ,
Fiona M. Doohan ,
Matthew J. Saunders  and
Brian R. Murphy
Trevor R. Hodkinson
Affiliation:
Trinity College Dublin
Fiona M. Doohan
Affiliation:
University College Dublin
Matthew J. Saunders
Affiliation:
Trinity College Dublin
Brian R. Murphy
Affiliation:
Trinity College Dublin
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Summary

Endophytes have the potential to contribute to the sustainable production of bioenergy crops such as the perennial rhizomatous grass Miscanthus. They can improve plant growth on marginal land that is otherwise unsuitable for conventional agriculture and can also reduce the need for environmentally damaging chemical inputs including fertilisers and pesticides. This chapter outlines current knowledge of Miscanthus endophytes and presents new data on the diversity of root and shoot fungal endophytes isolated from three Miscanthus species (M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis and M. ×giganteus). Malt extract, potato dextrose and Czapek Dox media were compared for isolation and growth of the endophytes. The endophytes were then identified using DNA barcoding with three DNA loci (nrITS, nrLSU and TEF). nrITS and nrLSU were found to be the most reliable and consistent barcoding regions. Internal transcribed spacer (ITS) had the highest discriminating potential and is thus recommended for single locus barcoding of endophytes in Miscanthus. Most new isolates were Ascomycota belonging to Pezizomycotina with representatives from Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomycetes and Sordariomycetes. One Basidiomycota species was recovered (a known soil yeast Rhodotorula). Comparisons between Miscanthus endophyte species composition and its better-known sister genus Saccharum (including sugarcane) are provided.

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Endophytes for a Growing World , pp. 188 - 207
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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