Isolation and morpho-molecular characterization of culturable endophytic fungi potentially associated with agarwood formation in Aquilaria sp. Lam

Date

5-2026

Abstract

This study determined the morpho-molecular identity and diversity and inferred the phylogenetic relationships of culturable endophytic fungi associated with the agarwood- producing Aquilaria sp. collected from Sorsogon and Zamboanga del Sur, Philippines Agarwood formation is a complex defense response often associated with fungal colonization; however, limited information exists regarding fungal communities associated with Philippine Aquilaria species. Using culture-dependent isolation, morphological characterization, and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA sequencing coupled with BLASTn and phylogenetic analyses, a total of 27 fungal isolates representing 15 morphospecies were recovered from infected wood samples. Molecular identification revealed that the fungal assemblage was dominated by members of the orders Hypocreales, Eurotiales, and Agaricales, with Trichoderma, Aspergillus, and Fusarium as the most frequently isolated genera. Fusarium solani was found the most recurrent species across both sites, suggesting its possible role as a core fungal associate in agarwood formation Zamboanga del Sur exhibited greater fungal richness and diversity compared to Sorsogon, indicating spatial variation in fungal community structure. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that several isolates clustered closely with previously reported agarwood- associated and resin-inducing fungi, particularly F. solani and T. harzianum. The study further showed that combining morphological and molecular approaches improved fungal identification and diversity assessment compared to morphology alone. Overall, the findings provide the first baseline characterization of culturable endophytic fungi associated with Philippine Aquilaria sp. and highlight the ecological and potential biotechnological significance of fungal taxa linked to agarwood formation. These results contribute to the development of science-based and sustainable microbial inoculation strategies for agarwood production while supporting conservation and sustainable utilization of Aquilaria resources in the Philippines.

Document Type

Master Thesis

Degree

Master of Science in Forestry

College

Graduate School (GS)

Adviser/Committee Chair

Lerma SJ. Maldia

Committee Member

Jessa P. Ata, Ireneo B. Pangga

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

THYMELAEACEAE; ENDOPHYTES; TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM; ASPERGILLUS; FUSARIUM SOLANI; FUNGAL MORPHOLOGY; MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION; PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS; FUNGI

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