Talaromyces trachyspermus, an endophyte from Withania somnifera with plant growth promoting attributes

The medicinal plant, Withania somnifera is attributed by valuable medicinal properties and is widely cultivated. It is a need to take care of this plant from synthetic agrochemicals that may be hazardous for health and environment. The aim of the present study was to isolate and screen the endophytic fungi of W. somnifera that have potential of plant growth promotion and antagonism against plant pathogens. In this study, 22 potential fungal endophytes comprising of species of Alternaria, Aspergillus, Fusarium, Nigrospora, Colletotrichum and Talaromyces identified at National Fungal Culture Collection of India (NFCCI), Pune were isolated. The potential isolate, Talaromyces trachyspermus was confirmed by BLAST and phylogenetic analysis of sequences of rDNA ITS, LSU (D1 D2) and β-tubulin genes. Among all the isolates, T. trachyspermus exhibited comparatively higher activity for hydrolytic enzymes, protease, chitinase, amylase, cellulase and pectinase that are required for antagonistic property. It was observed to be a promising biocontrol agent against plant pathogen, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. This strain is also characterized with high level of indole acetic acid (IAA), siderophore synthesis, and phosphate solubilization activities that are important for plant growth promotion. This is the first report on endophyte, T. trachyspermus from W. somnifera having potential plant growth promoting traits and biocontrol, which can be further exploited to enhance the medicinal value of the plant.