Abstract
Endophytic fungi are a diverse group of microorganisms that live asymptomatically in healthy tissues of host and they have been reported from all kinds of plant tissues such as leaves, stems, roots, flowers, and fruits. In this study, fungal endophytes associated with tea leaves (Camellia sinensis) were collected from Kandy, Kegalle, and Nuwara Eliya districts in Sri Lanka and were isolated, characterized, and identified. A total of twenty endophytic fungal isolates belonging to five genera were recovered and ITS-rDNA sequence data were used to identify them. All isolated endophytic fungal strains belong to the phylum Ascomycota and the majority of these isolates were identified as Colletotrichum species. Phyllosticta capitalensis was the most commonly found fungal endophyte in tea leaves and was recorded in all three districts where the samples were collected. This is the very first investigation on fungal endophytes associated with C. sinensis in Sri Lanka based on molecular sequence data. In addition, a comprehensive account of known endophytic fungi reported worldwide on Camellia sinensis is provided.
References
<p>Agusta, A., Maehara, S., Ohashi, K., Simanjuntak, P. & Shibuya, H. (2005) Stereoselective oxidation at C-4 of flavans by the endophytic fungus <em>Diaporthe</em> sp. isolated from a tea plant. <em>Chemical and Pharmaceutical Bulletin</em> 53 (12): 1565–1569.</p>
<p>Agusta, A., Ohashi, K. & Shibuya, H. (2006) Composition of the endophytic filamentous fungi isolated from the tea plant <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of natural medicines</em> 60 (3): 268–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-006-0038-2</p>
<p>Bhavana, N.S., Prakash, H.S. & Nalini, M.S. (2019) Antioxidative and L-asparaginase potentials of fungal endophytes from <em>Rauvolfia densiflora</em> (Apocynaceae), an ethnomedicinal species of the Western Ghats. <em>Czech Mycology</em> 71 (2): 187–203. https://doi.org/10.33585/cmy.71205</p>
<p>Damm, U., Sato, T., Alizadeh, A., Groenewald, J.Z. & Crous, P.W. (2019) The <em>Colletotrichum dracaenophilum</em>, <em>C</em>. <em>ámagnum</em> and <em>C</em>. <em>áorchidearum</em> species complexes. <em>Studies in mycology </em>92: 1–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2018.04.001</p>
<p>Fang, W., Yang, L., Zhu, X., Zeng, L. & Li, X. (2013) Seasonal and Habitat Dependent Variations in Culturable Endophytes of <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology </em>4 (3). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7471.1000169</p>
<p>Gao, Y., Liu, F. & Cai, L. (2016) Unravelling <em>Diaporthe</em> species associated with <em>Camellia</em>. <em>Systematics and Biodiversity</em> 14 (1): 102–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2015.1101027</p>
<p>Gnanamangai, B.M. & Ponmurugan, P. (2012) Evaluation of various fungicides and microbial based biocontrol agents against bird’s eye spot disease of tea plants. <em>Crop Protection</em> 32:111–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2011.10.001</p>
<p>Hamilton-Miller, J.M. (1995) Antimicrobial properties of tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em> L.). <em>Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy</em> 39 (11): 2375. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.39.11.2375</p>
<p>Honger, J.O. (2014) Characterisation of the causal agent of mango anthracnose disease in Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, University of Ghana). http://197.255.68.203/handle/123456789/5468.</p>
<p>Hu, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, C., Yang, L., Chen, X., Zhuang, J. & Li, X. (2013) Diversity analysis of the endophytic fungi in root and fungi in rhizosphere soil of tea plant in different seasons. <em>Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University </em>36 (3):41–46.</p>
<p>Hyde, K.D., Chaiwan, N., Norphanphoun, C., Boonmee, S., Camporesi, E., Chethana, K.W.T., Dayarathne, M.C., De Silva, N.I., Dissanayake, A.J., Ekanayaka, A.H. & Hongsanan, S. (2018) Mycosphere notes 169–224. <em>Mycosphere</em> 9 (2): 271–430. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/9/2/8</p>
<p>Kehelpannala, C., Kumar, N.S., Jayasinghe, L., Araya, H. & Fujimoto, Y. (2018) Naphthoquinone Metabolites Produced by <em>Monacrosporium ambrosium</em>, the Ectosymbiotic Fungus of Tea Shot-Hole Borer, <em>Euwallacea fornicatus</em>, in Stems of Tea, <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of chemical ecology</em> 44 (1): 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-017-0913-1</p>
<p>Liu, L. (2011) Bioactive metabolites from the plant endophyte <em>Pestalotiopsis fici</em>. <em>Mycology</em> 2 (1): 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2011.562248</p>
<p>Liu, F., Hou, L., Raza, M. & Cai, L. (2017) <em>Pestalotiopsis</em> and allied genera from <em>Camellia</em>, with description of 11 new species from China. <em>Scientific reports</em> 7 (1): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00972-5</p>
<p>Liu, H.X., Tan, H.B., Li, S.N., Chen, Y.C., Li, H.H. & Zhang, W.M. (2019) Two new metabolites from <em>Daldinia eschscholtzii</em>, an endophytic fungus derived from <em>Pogostemon cablin</em>. <em>Journal of Asian natural products research</em> 21 (2): 150–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2017.1392512</p>
<p>Mahmood, T., Akhtar, N. & Khan, B.A. (2010) The morphology, characteristics, and medicinal properties of <em>Camellia sinensis</em> tea. <em>Journal of Medicinal Plants Research </em>4 (19): 2028–2033. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR10.010</p>
<p>Manamgoda, D.S., Udayanga, D., Cai, L., Chukeatirote, E. & Hyde, K.D. (2013) Endophytic <em>Colletotrichum</em> from tropical grasses with a new species <em>C</em>. <em>endophytica</em>. <em>Fungal Diversity</em> 61 (1): 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-013-0256-3</p>
<p>Namita, P., Mukesh, R. & Vijay, K.J. (2012) <em>Camellia sinensis</em> (green tea): A review. <em>Global journal of pharmacology</em> 6 (2): 52–59.</p>
<p>Nath, R., Sharma, G.D. & Barooah, M. (2015) Plant growth promoting endophytic fungi isolated from tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>) shrubs of Assam, India. <em>Applied Ecology and Environmental Research</em> 13: 877–891. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1303_877891</p>
<p>Oh, S.Y., Yang, J.H., Woo, J.J., Oh, S.O. & Hur, J.S. (2020) Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Endolichenic Fungi in Jeju Island, South Korea. <em>Sustainability</em> 12 (9): 3769. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093769</p>
<p>Pandey, A.K., Sinniah, G.D., Azariah, B.K. & Tanti, A. (2021) How the Global Tea Industry Copes up with Fungal Diseases-Challenges and Opportunities. <em>Plant Disease. </em>[Published online; 46 pp.] https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-20-1945-FE</p>
<p>Parthibhan, S., Rao, M.V. & Kumar, T.S. (2017) Culturable fungal endophytes in shoots of <em>Dendrobium aqueum</em> Lindley–An imperiled orchid. <em>Ecological Genetics and Genomics</em> 3: 18–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egg.2017.06.004</p>
<p>Prasai, J.R., Sureshkumar, S., Rajapriya, P., Gopi, C. & Pandi, M. (2021) Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Endophytic Fungi isolated from the leaves of <em>Bergenia ciliata</em>. <em>Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology</em> 25 (4): 2239–2257.</p>
<p>Premkumar, R., Ajay, D. & Muraleedharan, N. (2009) Biological control of tea diseases- A Review. In Role of Biocontrol Agents for Disease Management in Sustainable Agriculture. <em>Research India Publications</em> 223–230.</p>
<p>Qingbo, Z., Qingling, C.Y.L.H.P., Meihua, W.L.L.D.T. & Weimin, Z. (2013) Isolation, Identification and Cytotoxic Activities of Endophytic Fungi from <em>Taxus chinensis</em> var. <em>mairei</em>. <em>Biotechnology Bulletin</em> (1): 172–77 .</p>
<p>Rabha, A.J., Naglot, A., Sharma, G.D., Gogoi, H.K. & Veer, V. (2014) <em>In vitro</em> evaluation of antagonism of endophytic <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> against potent fungal pathogens of <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Indian</em> <em>journal of microbiology</em> 54 (3): 302–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-014-0458-8</p>
<p>Rabha, A.J., Sharma, G.D., Naglot, A. & Gogoi, H.K. (2015) GC-MS analysis of secondary metabolites of endophytic <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> isolated from <em>Camellia sinensis </em>(L) O. Kuntze. <em>International Journal of Innovative Science Engineering and Technology </em>3 (11): 373–379.</p>
<p>Rana, K.L., Kour, D., Sheikh, I., Dhiman, A., Yadav, N., Yadav, A.N., Rastegari, A.A., Singh, K. & Saxena, A.K. (2019) Endophytic fungi: biodiversity, ecological significance, and potential industrial applications. <em>In Recent advancement in white biotechnology through fungi</em>. Springer, Cham 1–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10480-1_1</p>
<p>Ratnasiri, J., Anandacoomaraswamy, A., Wijeratne, M.A., Basnayake, S., Jayakody, A. & Amaratunga, L. (2008) Vulnerability of Sri Lankan tea plantations to climate change. <em>In:</em> <em>Climate Change and Vulnerability</em>. pp. 351–372.</p>
<p>Sandika, A.L. (2018) Tea Cultivation in Sri Lanka as a Legacy of the British Colonization: Impacts and Trends. <em>Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Review</em> 3 (1): 90–96. https://doi.org/10.4038/jsshr.v3i1.7</p>
<p>Saha, D., Dasgupta, S. & Saha, A. (2005) Antifungal activity of some plant extracts against fungal pathogens of tea (<em>camellia sinensis</em>.). <em>Pharmaceutical biology</em> 43 (1): 87–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200590903426</p>
<p>Sharangi, A.B. (2009) Medicinal and therapeutic potentialities of tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em> L.)–A review. <em>Food Research International</em> 42 (5–6): 529–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2009.01.007</p>
<p>Shan, W., Zhou, Y., Liu, H. & Yu, X. (2018) Endophytic actinomycetes from tea plants (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>): isolation, abundance, antimicrobial, and plant-growth-promoting activities. <em>BioMed research international</em> 2018. [12 pp.] https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1470305</p>
<p>Sheik, S., Chandrashekar, K.R., Swaroop, K. & Somashekarappa, H.M. (2015) Biodegradation of gamma irradiated low density polyethylene and polypropylene by endophytic fungi. <em>International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation</em> 105: 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.08.006</p>
<p>Shi, Y.X., Zhang, X.H., Zhao, Q. & Li, B.J. (2019) First report of <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> causing anthracnose on okra in China. <em>Plant Disease</em> 103 (5): 1023–1023. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0878-PDN</p>
<p>Su, J., Wang, G. & Yang, M. (2010) Mixed culture of endophytic fungi isolated from <em>Camellia sinensis </em>enhancing the antagonistic on plant pathogenic fungi. <em>Mycosystema</em> 29 (5): 753–759.</p>
<p>Thambugala, K.M., Daranagama, D.A., Phillips, A.J., Bulgakov, T.S., Bhat, D.J., Camporesi, E., Bahkali, A.H., Eungwanichayapant, P.D., Liu, Z.Y. & Hyde, K.D. (2017) Microfungi on <em>Tamarix</em>. <em>Fungal Diversity</em> 82: 239–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-016-0371-z</p>
<p>Thambugala, K.M., Hyde, K.D., Tanaka, K., Tian, Q., Wanasinghe, D.N., Ariyawansa, H.A., Jayasiri, S.C., Boonmee, S., Camporesi, E., Hashimoto, A., Hirayama, K., Schumacher, R.K., Promputtha, L. & Liu, Z.Y. (2015) Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Lophiostomataceae, Floricolaceae, and Amorosiaceae fam. nov. <em>Fungal Divers</em>i<em>ty</em> 74: 199–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-015-0348-3</p>
<p>Tsai, I., Chung, C.L., Lin, S.R., Hung, T.H., Shen, T.L., Hu, C.Y., Hozzein, W.N. & Ariyawansa, H.A. (2020) Cryptic Diversity, Molecular Systematics, and Pathogenicity of Genus <em>Pestalotiopsis</em> and Allied Genera Causing Gray Blight Disease of Tea in Taiwan, With a Description of a New <em>Pseudopestalotiopsis</em> Species.<em> Plant Disease</em>. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-20-1134-RE</p>
<p>Wang, Q.H., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y.T., Li, D., Lin, X.L. & Lyu, J. (2021) First report of leaf spot disease caused by <em>Colletotrichum siamense</em> on <em>Cornus hongkongensis</em> (Hemsl.) in China. <em>Plant Disease</em>. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2525-PDN</p>
<p>White, T.J., Bruns, T., Lee, S. & Taylor, J. (1990) Amplifcation and direct sequencing of fungal ribosomal RNA genes for phylogenetics.<em> In: </em>Innis MA, Gefand DH, Sninsky JJ, White TJ (Eds.) PCR protocols: a guide to methods and applications. Academic Press Inc., New York, 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-372180-8.50042-1</p>
<p>Win, P.M., Matsumura, E. & Fukuda, K. (2018) Diversity of tea endophytic fungi: cultivar-and tissue preferences. <em>Applied Ecology and Environmental Research </em>16 (1): 677–695.</p>
<p>Win, P.M., Matsumura, E. & Fukuda, K. (2021) Effects of Pesticides on the Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Tea Plants. <em>Microbial Ecology</em> 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-020-01675-7</p>
<p>Xie, H., Feng, X., Wang, M. & Wang, Y. (2020) Awasthi, M.K.; Xu, P. Implications of endophytic microbiota in <em>Camellia sinensis</em>: a review on current understanding and future insights, <em>Bioengineered</em> 11 (1): 1001–1015. https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2020.1816788</p>
<p>Yeh, Y.H. & Kirschner, R. (2019) Diversity of endophytic fungi of the coastal plant <em>Vitex rotundifolia</em> in Taiwan. <em>Microbes and environments</em> 34 (1): 59–63. https://doi.org/10.1264/jsme2.ME18075</p>
<p>You, J.M. (2008) Dynamic distributes of endophytic fungi from <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Guihaia</em> 1: 82–85.</p>
<p>Zhang, Q., Zhang, J., Yang, L., Zhang, L., Jiang, D., Chen, W. & Li, G. (2014) Diversity and biocontrol potential of endophytic fungi in <em>Brassica napus</em>. <em>Biological Control</em> 72: 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2014.02.018</p>
<p>Zhang, H., Wei, Y. & Shi, H. (2020a) First Report of Anthracnose Caused by <em>Colletotrichum kahawae</em> sub sp. <em>ciggaro</em> on Areca in China. <em>Plant Disease</em> 104 (6): 1871. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-19-2628-PDN</p>
<p>Zhang, L., Li, X., Zhou, Y., Tan, G. & Zhang, L. (2020b) Identification and characterization of <em>Colletotrichum</em> species associated with <em>Camellia sinensis</em> anthracnose in Anhui province, China. <em>Plant Disease</em>. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2335-RE</p>
<p>Zhang, Y., Shen, R., Mo, Y., Li, Q., Lin, W. & Yuan, G. (2020c). <em>Colletotrichum siamense</em>: A novel leaf pathogen of Sterculia nobilis Smith detected in China, <em>Forest Pathology </em>50 (1): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12575</p>
<p>Zhou, Y., Wang, J., Yang, L., Guo, L., He, S., Zhou, W. & Huang, J. (2021) Development of Species/Genus specific Primers for Identification of Three <em>Trichoderma</em> Species and for Detection of <em>Trichoderma</em> Genus, <em>Research Square.</em> [12 pp.] https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-139038/v1</p>
<p>Zhu, Y.J., chen, L., Lan, J.L., Su, M.X. & Liu, B. (2009) Isolation, identification and the biocontrol potential of endophyte in <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University</em> (<em>Natural Science Edition</em>) 38 (2): 129–134.</p>
<p>Zhu, X.J., Hu, Y.F., Chen, X., Wang, Y.H., Fang, W.P. & Li, X.H. (2014) Endophytic fungi from <em>Camellia sinensis</em> show an antimicrobial activity against the rice blast pathogen <em>Magnaporthe grisea</em>. <em>Phyton, International Journal of Experimental Botany</em> 83 (1): 57–63. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2014.83.057</p>
<p>Agusta, A., Ohashi, K. & Shibuya, H. (2006) Composition of the endophytic filamentous fungi isolated from the tea plant <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of natural medicines</em> 60 (3): 268–272. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11418-006-0038-2</p>
<p>Bhavana, N.S., Prakash, H.S. & Nalini, M.S. (2019) Antioxidative and L-asparaginase potentials of fungal endophytes from <em>Rauvolfia densiflora</em> (Apocynaceae), an ethnomedicinal species of the Western Ghats. <em>Czech Mycology</em> 71 (2): 187–203. https://doi.org/10.33585/cmy.71205</p>
<p>Damm, U., Sato, T., Alizadeh, A., Groenewald, J.Z. & Crous, P.W. (2019) The <em>Colletotrichum dracaenophilum</em>, <em>C</em>. <em>ámagnum</em> and <em>C</em>. <em>áorchidearum</em> species complexes. <em>Studies in mycology </em>92: 1–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.simyco.2018.04.001</p>
<p>Fang, W., Yang, L., Zhu, X., Zeng, L. & Li, X. (2013) Seasonal and Habitat Dependent Variations in Culturable Endophytes of <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of Plant Pathology & Microbiology </em>4 (3). https://doi.org/10.4172/2157-7471.1000169</p>
<p>Gao, Y., Liu, F. & Cai, L. (2016) Unravelling <em>Diaporthe</em> species associated with <em>Camellia</em>. <em>Systematics and Biodiversity</em> 14 (1): 102–117. https://doi.org/10.1080/14772000.2015.1101027</p>
<p>Gnanamangai, B.M. & Ponmurugan, P. (2012) Evaluation of various fungicides and microbial based biocontrol agents against bird’s eye spot disease of tea plants. <em>Crop Protection</em> 32:111–118. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cropro.2011.10.001</p>
<p>Hamilton-Miller, J.M. (1995) Antimicrobial properties of tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em> L.). <em>Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy</em> 39 (11): 2375. https://doi.org/10.1128/AAC.39.11.2375</p>
<p>Honger, J.O. (2014) Characterisation of the causal agent of mango anthracnose disease in Ghana (Doctoral dissertation, University of Ghana). http://197.255.68.203/handle/123456789/5468.</p>
<p>Hu, Y., Zhang, Y., Zhang, C., Yang, L., Chen, X., Zhuang, J. & Li, X. (2013) Diversity analysis of the endophytic fungi in root and fungi in rhizosphere soil of tea plant in different seasons. <em>Journal of Nanjing Agricultural University </em>36 (3):41–46.</p>
<p>Hyde, K.D., Chaiwan, N., Norphanphoun, C., Boonmee, S., Camporesi, E., Chethana, K.W.T., Dayarathne, M.C., De Silva, N.I., Dissanayake, A.J., Ekanayaka, A.H. & Hongsanan, S. (2018) Mycosphere notes 169–224. <em>Mycosphere</em> 9 (2): 271–430. https://doi.org/10.5943/mycosphere/9/2/8</p>
<p>Kehelpannala, C., Kumar, N.S., Jayasinghe, L., Araya, H. & Fujimoto, Y. (2018) Naphthoquinone Metabolites Produced by <em>Monacrosporium ambrosium</em>, the Ectosymbiotic Fungus of Tea Shot-Hole Borer, <em>Euwallacea fornicatus</em>, in Stems of Tea, <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of chemical ecology</em> 44 (1): 95–101. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10886-017-0913-1</p>
<p>Liu, L. (2011) Bioactive metabolites from the plant endophyte <em>Pestalotiopsis fici</em>. <em>Mycology</em> 2 (1): 37–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/21501203.2011.562248</p>
<p>Liu, F., Hou, L., Raza, M. & Cai, L. (2017) <em>Pestalotiopsis</em> and allied genera from <em>Camellia</em>, with description of 11 new species from China. <em>Scientific reports</em> 7 (1): 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-00972-5</p>
<p>Liu, H.X., Tan, H.B., Li, S.N., Chen, Y.C., Li, H.H. & Zhang, W.M. (2019) Two new metabolites from <em>Daldinia eschscholtzii</em>, an endophytic fungus derived from <em>Pogostemon cablin</em>. <em>Journal of Asian natural products research</em> 21 (2): 150–156. https://doi.org/10.1080/10286020.2017.1392512</p>
<p>Mahmood, T., Akhtar, N. & Khan, B.A. (2010) The morphology, characteristics, and medicinal properties of <em>Camellia sinensis</em> tea. <em>Journal of Medicinal Plants Research </em>4 (19): 2028–2033. https://doi.org/10.5897/JMPR10.010</p>
<p>Manamgoda, D.S., Udayanga, D., Cai, L., Chukeatirote, E. & Hyde, K.D. (2013) Endophytic <em>Colletotrichum</em> from tropical grasses with a new species <em>C</em>. <em>endophytica</em>. <em>Fungal Diversity</em> 61 (1): 107–115. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-013-0256-3</p>
<p>Namita, P., Mukesh, R. & Vijay, K.J. (2012) <em>Camellia sinensis</em> (green tea): A review. <em>Global journal of pharmacology</em> 6 (2): 52–59.</p>
<p>Nath, R., Sharma, G.D. & Barooah, M. (2015) Plant growth promoting endophytic fungi isolated from tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>) shrubs of Assam, India. <em>Applied Ecology and Environmental Research</em> 13: 877–891. https://doi.org/10.15666/aeer/1303_877891</p>
<p>Oh, S.Y., Yang, J.H., Woo, J.J., Oh, S.O. & Hur, J.S. (2020) Diversity and Distribution Patterns of Endolichenic Fungi in Jeju Island, South Korea. <em>Sustainability</em> 12 (9): 3769. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12093769</p>
<p>Pandey, A.K., Sinniah, G.D., Azariah, B.K. & Tanti, A. (2021) How the Global Tea Industry Copes up with Fungal Diseases-Challenges and Opportunities. <em>Plant Disease. </em>[Published online; 46 pp.] https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-09-20-1945-FE</p>
<p>Parthibhan, S., Rao, M.V. & Kumar, T.S. (2017) Culturable fungal endophytes in shoots of <em>Dendrobium aqueum</em> Lindley–An imperiled orchid. <em>Ecological Genetics and Genomics</em> 3: 18–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egg.2017.06.004</p>
<p>Prasai, J.R., Sureshkumar, S., Rajapriya, P., Gopi, C. & Pandi, M. (2021) Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Endophytic Fungi isolated from the leaves of <em>Bergenia ciliata</em>. <em>Annals of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology</em> 25 (4): 2239–2257.</p>
<p>Premkumar, R., Ajay, D. & Muraleedharan, N. (2009) Biological control of tea diseases- A Review. In Role of Biocontrol Agents for Disease Management in Sustainable Agriculture. <em>Research India Publications</em> 223–230.</p>
<p>Qingbo, Z., Qingling, C.Y.L.H.P., Meihua, W.L.L.D.T. & Weimin, Z. (2013) Isolation, Identification and Cytotoxic Activities of Endophytic Fungi from <em>Taxus chinensis</em> var. <em>mairei</em>. <em>Biotechnology Bulletin</em> (1): 172–77 .</p>
<p>Rabha, A.J., Naglot, A., Sharma, G.D., Gogoi, H.K. & Veer, V. (2014) <em>In vitro</em> evaluation of antagonism of endophytic <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> against potent fungal pathogens of <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Indian</em> <em>journal of microbiology</em> 54 (3): 302–309. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12088-014-0458-8</p>
<p>Rabha, A.J., Sharma, G.D., Naglot, A. & Gogoi, H.K. (2015) GC-MS analysis of secondary metabolites of endophytic <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> isolated from <em>Camellia sinensis </em>(L) O. Kuntze. <em>International Journal of Innovative Science Engineering and Technology </em>3 (11): 373–379.</p>
<p>Rana, K.L., Kour, D., Sheikh, I., Dhiman, A., Yadav, N., Yadav, A.N., Rastegari, A.A., Singh, K. & Saxena, A.K. (2019) Endophytic fungi: biodiversity, ecological significance, and potential industrial applications. <em>In Recent advancement in white biotechnology through fungi</em>. Springer, Cham 1–62. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10480-1_1</p>
<p>Ratnasiri, J., Anandacoomaraswamy, A., Wijeratne, M.A., Basnayake, S., Jayakody, A. & Amaratunga, L. (2008) Vulnerability of Sri Lankan tea plantations to climate change. <em>In:</em> <em>Climate Change and Vulnerability</em>. pp. 351–372.</p>
<p>Sandika, A.L. (2018) Tea Cultivation in Sri Lanka as a Legacy of the British Colonization: Impacts and Trends. <em>Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Review</em> 3 (1): 90–96. https://doi.org/10.4038/jsshr.v3i1.7</p>
<p>Saha, D., Dasgupta, S. & Saha, A. (2005) Antifungal activity of some plant extracts against fungal pathogens of tea (<em>camellia sinensis</em>.). <em>Pharmaceutical biology</em> 43 (1): 87–91. https://doi.org/10.1080/13880200590903426</p>
<p>Sharangi, A.B. (2009) Medicinal and therapeutic potentialities of tea (<em>Camellia sinensis</em> L.)–A review. <em>Food Research International</em> 42 (5–6): 529–535. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2009.01.007</p>
<p>Shan, W., Zhou, Y., Liu, H. & Yu, X. (2018) Endophytic actinomycetes from tea plants (<em>Camellia sinensis</em>): isolation, abundance, antimicrobial, and plant-growth-promoting activities. <em>BioMed research international</em> 2018. [12 pp.] https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/1470305</p>
<p>Sheik, S., Chandrashekar, K.R., Swaroop, K. & Somashekarappa, H.M. (2015) Biodegradation of gamma irradiated low density polyethylene and polypropylene by endophytic fungi. <em>International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation</em> 105: 21–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibiod.2015.08.006</p>
<p>Shi, Y.X., Zhang, X.H., Zhao, Q. & Li, B.J. (2019) First report of <em>Colletotrichum gloeosporioides</em> causing anthracnose on okra in China. <em>Plant Disease</em> 103 (5): 1023–1023. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-18-0878-PDN</p>
<p>Su, J., Wang, G. & Yang, M. (2010) Mixed culture of endophytic fungi isolated from <em>Camellia sinensis </em>enhancing the antagonistic on plant pathogenic fungi. <em>Mycosystema</em> 29 (5): 753–759.</p>
<p>Thambugala, K.M., Daranagama, D.A., Phillips, A.J., Bulgakov, T.S., Bhat, D.J., Camporesi, E., Bahkali, A.H., Eungwanichayapant, P.D., Liu, Z.Y. & Hyde, K.D. (2017) Microfungi on <em>Tamarix</em>. <em>Fungal Diversity</em> 82: 239–306. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-016-0371-z</p>
<p>Thambugala, K.M., Hyde, K.D., Tanaka, K., Tian, Q., Wanasinghe, D.N., Ariyawansa, H.A., Jayasiri, S.C., Boonmee, S., Camporesi, E., Hashimoto, A., Hirayama, K., Schumacher, R.K., Promputtha, L. & Liu, Z.Y. (2015) Towards a natural classification and backbone tree for Lophiostomataceae, Floricolaceae, and Amorosiaceae fam. nov. <em>Fungal Divers</em>i<em>ty</em> 74: 199–266. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13225-015-0348-3</p>
<p>Tsai, I., Chung, C.L., Lin, S.R., Hung, T.H., Shen, T.L., Hu, C.Y., Hozzein, W.N. & Ariyawansa, H.A. (2020) Cryptic Diversity, Molecular Systematics, and Pathogenicity of Genus <em>Pestalotiopsis</em> and Allied Genera Causing Gray Blight Disease of Tea in Taiwan, With a Description of a New <em>Pseudopestalotiopsis</em> Species.<em> Plant Disease</em>. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-05-20-1134-RE</p>
<p>Wang, Q.H., Zhang, Y., Zhang, Y.T., Li, D., Lin, X.L. & Lyu, J. (2021) First report of leaf spot disease caused by <em>Colletotrichum siamense</em> on <em>Cornus hongkongensis</em> (Hemsl.) in China. <em>Plant Disease</em>. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2525-PDN</p>
<p>White, T.J., Bruns, T., Lee, S. & Taylor, J. (1990) Amplifcation and direct sequencing of fungal ribosomal RNA genes for phylogenetics.<em> In: </em>Innis MA, Gefand DH, Sninsky JJ, White TJ (Eds.) PCR protocols: a guide to methods and applications. Academic Press Inc., New York, 315–322. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-372180-8.50042-1</p>
<p>Win, P.M., Matsumura, E. & Fukuda, K. (2018) Diversity of tea endophytic fungi: cultivar-and tissue preferences. <em>Applied Ecology and Environmental Research </em>16 (1): 677–695.</p>
<p>Win, P.M., Matsumura, E. & Fukuda, K. (2021) Effects of Pesticides on the Diversity of Endophytic Fungi in Tea Plants. <em>Microbial Ecology</em> 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00248-020-01675-7</p>
<p>Xie, H., Feng, X., Wang, M. & Wang, Y. (2020) Awasthi, M.K.; Xu, P. Implications of endophytic microbiota in <em>Camellia sinensis</em>: a review on current understanding and future insights, <em>Bioengineered</em> 11 (1): 1001–1015. https://doi.org/10.1080/21655979.2020.1816788</p>
<p>Yeh, Y.H. & Kirschner, R. (2019) Diversity of endophytic fungi of the coastal plant <em>Vitex rotundifolia</em> in Taiwan. <em>Microbes and environments</em> 34 (1): 59–63. https://doi.org/10.1264/jsme2.ME18075</p>
<p>You, J.M. (2008) Dynamic distributes of endophytic fungi from <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Guihaia</em> 1: 82–85.</p>
<p>Zhang, Q., Zhang, J., Yang, L., Zhang, L., Jiang, D., Chen, W. & Li, G. (2014) Diversity and biocontrol potential of endophytic fungi in <em>Brassica napus</em>. <em>Biological Control</em> 72: 98–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocontrol.2014.02.018</p>
<p>Zhang, H., Wei, Y. & Shi, H. (2020a) First Report of Anthracnose Caused by <em>Colletotrichum kahawae</em> sub sp. <em>ciggaro</em> on Areca in China. <em>Plant Disease</em> 104 (6): 1871. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-12-19-2628-PDN</p>
<p>Zhang, L., Li, X., Zhou, Y., Tan, G. & Zhang, L. (2020b) Identification and characterization of <em>Colletotrichum</em> species associated with <em>Camellia sinensis</em> anthracnose in Anhui province, China. <em>Plant Disease</em>. https://doi.org/10.1094/PDIS-11-20-2335-RE</p>
<p>Zhang, Y., Shen, R., Mo, Y., Li, Q., Lin, W. & Yuan, G. (2020c). <em>Colletotrichum siamense</em>: A novel leaf pathogen of Sterculia nobilis Smith detected in China, <em>Forest Pathology </em>50 (1): 1–8. https://doi.org/10.1111/efp.12575</p>
<p>Zhou, Y., Wang, J., Yang, L., Guo, L., He, S., Zhou, W. & Huang, J. (2021) Development of Species/Genus specific Primers for Identification of Three <em>Trichoderma</em> Species and for Detection of <em>Trichoderma</em> Genus, <em>Research Square.</em> [12 pp.] https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-139038/v1</p>
<p>Zhu, Y.J., chen, L., Lan, J.L., Su, M.X. & Liu, B. (2009) Isolation, identification and the biocontrol potential of endophyte in <em>Camellia sinensis</em>. <em>Journal of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University</em> (<em>Natural Science Edition</em>) 38 (2): 129–134.</p>
<p>Zhu, X.J., Hu, Y.F., Chen, X., Wang, Y.H., Fang, W.P. & Li, X.H. (2014) Endophytic fungi from <em>Camellia sinensis</em> show an antimicrobial activity against the rice blast pathogen <em>Magnaporthe grisea</em>. <em>Phyton, International Journal of Experimental Botany</em> 83 (1): 57–63. https://doi.org/10.32604/phyton.2014.83.057</p>