New reports of endophytic fungi associated with cherry (Prunus avium) and sour cherry (Prunus cerasus) trees in Iran

Endophytic fungi constitute a remar- kable multifarious group of microorganisms live within plants tissues without causing any obvious negative effect. Endophytic fungi have been found in every plant species examined to date. During an investigation on endophytic fungi, 123 fungal isolates were obtained from healthy twigs and leaves of cherry (Prunus avium) and sour cherry (P. cerasus) trees in Iran. The isolates identified based on sequence data of 18S rDNA (SSU) region, as well as morphological and cultural features. As a result, four species namely Coniothyrium olivaceum, Collophora paarla, Sarocladium strictum and Quambalaria cyanescens identified. All these identified species are new reports as endophytic fungi from P. cerasus and P. avium in the world. Among them, Collophora paarla and Quambalaria cyanescens are new taxa for the mycobiota of Iran.