Fungal Endophytes Isolated from Norton/Cynthiana Grapes of Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri

Abstract

Fungal endophytes inhabiting plant vascular tissue can alter the physiology of their host’s. Changes in growth rate, as well as resistance to disease and drought are some of the effects observed in plants whose tissue is influenced by these microorganisms. The Norton/Cynthiana grape is a cultivar of wine grape that has significant resistance to draught, and disease. Fungal endophytes that have been isolated and from Norton/Cynthiana grapes of three different geographic locations, and identified using barcode sequencing techniques are potentially responsible for this. The fungal endophytes found are described species that have been found within other species of plants.