Molecular diversity and identification of endophytic fungi

Abstract

Endophytes are organisms inhabiting the living plant organs at some time in their life, without causing apparent harm to the host. Endophytic fungi, which have been widely studied in various geographical and climatic zones, are ubiquitous and occur within all examined plants including a broad range of host orders, families, genera, and species in diverse ecosystems. DNA fingerprinting and sequencing techniques employed in the population genetic diversity and in the detection and identification of endophytic fungi are summarized in this chapter. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.