Fungal endophytes of sorghum in Burkina Faso: Occurrence and distribution

A survey was conducted to assess the natural occurrence and distribution of fungal endophytes in sorghum in relation to plant performance in two distinct agro-ecological zones in Burkina Faso. Sorghum farm-saved seeds were sown in 48 farmers’ fields in Sahelian and North Sudanian zones to produce sorghum plants. In each field, leaf samples were collected from five well-developed (performing) and five less-developed (non-performing) plants at 3-5 leaf stage, while at plant maturity leaf, stem and root samples were collected from the same plants and fungal endophytes were isolated. A total of 39 fungal species belonging to 25 genera were isolated. The most represented genera included Fusarium, Leptosphaeria, Curvularia, Nigrospora and Penicillium. The genera Fusarium and Penicillium occurred significantly higher in performing plants as compared to non-performing plants while the genera Colletotrichum and Alternaria were most represented in non-performing plants. Among the Fusarium species identified, Fusarium moniliforme was the most common fungus isolated from the plants. Fusarium spp. and Penicillium sp. were significantly present in a higher number of performing plants than in non-performing plants, while Colletotrichum sublineolum was more encountered in non-performing plants than in performing plants. Distribution of fungi varied based on the tissue and root accounting for the majority of the fungi isolated. This work represents the first description of the diversity of fungal species and the fungal community in sorghum, and the first report attempts to document endophytic fungal presence in Burkina Faso.