Podospora leporina (Podosporaceae): An Unrecorded Endophytic Fungus Isolated from Cypripedium guttatum

Ju-Kyeong Eo^1,* Juo Choi¹ Seung Won Lee¹ Nam Young Kim²

¹Ecological Technology Research Team, Division of Ecological Applications Research, National Institute of Ecology, Seocheon 33657, Korea
²Plant Research Team, Division of Restoration Research, National Institute of Ecology, Yeongyang 36531, Korea

Abstract

Here, Podospora leporina was isolated and cultured from Cypripedium guttatum Sw. (spotted lady’s slipper), which was designated as an endangered wildlife class 1 by the Ministry of Environment. Further, Podospora sp., which is found in Calanthe discolor Lindl. (Japanese hardy orchid) root is recorded as an endophytic fungus in Jeju Island, Korea. However, there is no existing record of Podospora spp. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the morphological characteristics and two molecular markers, internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large ribosomal subunit (LSU), of P. leporina and compared these data with other relative species. Consequently, this endophytic fungal species was confirmed as an unrecorded species in Korea, so we presented cultural characteristics and microstructures, such as the conidia of P. leporina.

Figures & Tables

Fig. 1. Seedling rot of Kamchatka goatsbeard. (A, B) Symptoms observed in a vinyl greenhouse. (C) Symptoms induced by artificial inoculation tests with Rhizoctonia solani AG-1(IB) isolates. (D) Noninoculated seedlings (control).