Presence of endophytic fungi in cacao plantations (Theobroma cacao L.), in the state of Tabasco, Mexico

Abstract

The present work was done with the objective of identifying endophytic fungi associated with Theobroma cacao L. In Centro, Cunduacán and Comalcalco, locations into the state of Tabasco. The molecular identity used was the region of the Internal Transcribed Spaces (ITS), ITS 1 and ITS 4. Identifying fifteen fungal strains, grouped into thirteen different species, belonging to As-comycota phylum; distributed in three different classes: Dothideomycetes, Eurotiomi-cetos and Sordariomycetes. It is important to mention that it is the first record of Endomelanconiopsis endophytica and freycinetiae founded in cacao in Tabasco. In addition, we also identified Aspergillus foetidus, fischeri, de-licatus arcoverdensis; Thielaviopsis ethacetica, Cophinforma atrovirens, Neuros-pora udagawae, Diaporthe miriciae, Nodulisporium indicum, Cophinforma atrovirens; Colletotrichum tainanense y hebeiense. Many of this endophytic fungi are secondary metabolites and antioxidants producers that can be used in medical industry or for biological control of phytopathogenic diseases, such as Moniliophthora roreri