Abstract

The EF-37 isolate, one of DSE fungi, is beneficial to the growth and development of its host plant, Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir. The cultivation requirements including basic culture medium, temperature, light, pH, carbon source and nitrogen compounds were studied for their effects on mycelial growth of a dark-septate endophytic (DSE) fungus EF-37 by using one-factor-at-a-time method. Potato dextrose agar (PDA) was the best medium for the growth of endophyte EF-37. Our studies showed that 20°C, 24 h dark cultivation and pH 7 significantly influenced the growth of endophyte EF-37 on PDA medium. Moreover, glucose and calcium nitrate were found to be the best nutrients for EF-37 growth. Under the optimal cultivation conditions, DSE fungus EF-37 isolate could grow actively. This is the first study about the effect of cultivation conditions on the growth of this strain, which provides the preparatory knowledge for the biological characteristics of DSE fungus EF-37.

Key words: Cultural conditions, dark-septate endophytic (DSE) fungus EF-37, mycelial growth, optimization, Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir.