IDENTIFICATION OF ENDOPHYTIC CLADOSPORIUM SPECIES USING MORPHOLOGICAL, PHYSIOLOGICAL, AND rDNA SEQUENCE ANALYSIS

Endophytic Cladosporium species are important for plant health, but their identification is difficult due to their diverse morphology and physiology.In this study, our objective is to identify endophytic Cladosporium species by integrating morphological characterization, physiological profiling, and rDNA sequence analysis.This combined approach was selected because morphological traits alone can be highly variable and often insufficient for distinguishing closely related species.The study identified endophytic Cladosporium species using an integrated approach that included morphological characterization, physiological profiling, molecular analysis, and rDNA sequence examination.Morphological traits, observed from isolates grown on Potato Dextrose Agar, showed structures resembling C. cladosporioides or C. halotolerans.Physiological tests, including various temperatures, pH levels, and media, provided insights into species-specific adaptations.Overall growth patterns revealed no significant differences between the two Cladosporium species.Molecular identification using a combination of universal and species-specific markers, confirmed the identity of the isolate as C. halotolerans.Our findings highlight the significance of integrating traditional and molecular techniques for precise fungal taxonomy, paving the way for future research on endophytic Cladosporium species and their applications in agriculture and biotechnology.