In the present study, we isolated endophytic fungi from different tissues of two plants, Pseudosasa japonica and Quercus serrata from Taean-gun, Korea. Morphological characteristics of the isolated fungal strains were observed. We identified the fungi based on the phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences from the region of internal transcribed spacer, large subunit rDNA, β-tubulin, and translation elongation factor 1-α DNA. Three endophytic fungi that were not previously recorded in Korea, namely Geomyces asperulatus, Leptoxyphium fumago, and Tubakia oblongispora were identified. Here, we describe the morphological characteristics of these unrecorded fungi and present the results of the phylogenetic analysis.

We report the first discovery of Penicillium mexicanum in Korea. Fungal strains were isolated from air samples collected in Taean-gun, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea. The strain was identified based on its morphological characteristics, as well as molecular phylogenetic analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), β-tubulin (BenA), and calmodulin (CaM) regions. This strain exhibited a high sequence similarity to the reference sequences of P. mexicanum. These findings enhance our understanding of fungal biodiversity in Korea and underscore the importance of continuous monitoring of fungal species.

In this study, we examined the ectomycorrhiza (ECM) formed by a species of the genus Tuber, T. koreanum, with two indigenous Korean oak species, Quercus acutissima and Q. dentata. T. koreanum showed a high colonization rate for both oak species, with a higher mean colonization rate observed for Q. acutissima. The mycorrhizal characteristics of T. koreanum were described, revealing distinct morphological and anatomical differences between the ECM formed with the two host plants. This study is significant because it is the first to elucidate ECM formations of T. koreanum in indigenous oak trees. However, further studies are required to differentiate the ECM associations formed by T. koreanum from those of other Tuber species.

In this study, we analyzed the diversity of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungal communities of Quercus spp. roots in the limestone area. We identified 45 generd of ECM using next generation sequencing (NGS) analysis. Soil chemical composition analysis confirmed soil pH, substitution calcium concentration, total nitrogen content, organic phosphate, and organic matter content. Shannon’s Index was calculated according to the changes in soil chemical composition. The results of cluster analysis showed that Sebacina, Tomentella, Tuber, Densospora, Inocybe, Suillus, and Piloderma were the main genera of symbiotic ECM fungi that thrived in soil with high pH and calcium content.

We collected the ascomata of Tuber species from the rhizosphere of Quercus dentata in Danyang, Korea. We observed the morphological characteristics of ectomycorrhizal roots and ascomata, and identified the species based on the results of the phylogenetic analysis conducted using the DNA sequences of an internal transcribed spacer, a large-subunit rDNA, translation elongation factor 1-α DNA (TEF1), and MAT. Finally, we identified the fungal species as Tuber himalayense B.C. Zhang & Minter, which has not been recorded previously in Korea. We evaluated the morphological characteristics and conducted phylogenetic analysis of the ascoma and mycorrhiza (associated with Q. dentata) of T. himalayense.

We isolated endophytic fungi from Smilax china and Cryptomeria japonica. These fungal strains were identified based on their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of their internal transcribed spacer, large subunit rDNA, and translation elongation factor 1-α DNA. Among them, we discovered two fungi belonging to the genus Phyllosticta, which have not been previously recorded in Korea. We have described these two fungal strains, Phyllosticta ericarum 19E458 and Phyllosticta philoprina 19E012 in this study.

New species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (Glomeromycota), Acaulospora jejuensis, was isolated from rhizosphere soils of Miscanthus sinensis in the grassland in Jeju Island of Korea. The species was identified using the morphological characteristics of the spores and the molecular phylogenetic analysis using partial DNA sequences from small subunit rDNA (SSU), internal transcribed spacer (ITS), and large subunit rDNA (LSU). Phylogenetic analysis placed the fungal species in a distinct clade within genus Acaulospora. Also, the species exhibited the morphological characteristics distinct from the other members of the genus. Therefore, Acaulospora jejuensis was described as a novel species from Korea.

In this study, endophytic fungi were isolated from the leaves of evergreen woody plants in Hansando Island in South Korea. The fungal isolates were identified based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of the DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer and the large subunit regions of rDNA. It was confirmed that two endophytic fungal species, Muyocopron lithocarpi and Didymocyrtis cladoniicola, isolated in this study have not previously been reported in South Korea.

Red pepper seedlings were inoculated either alone or with a mixture of all five species of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). After 10 weeks of growth in the greenhouse, the seedlings were transplanted into fields and cultivated without chemical fertilizers and pesticides for 10 weeks. The results showed that plant growth was significantly increased under both greenhouse and field conditions, suggesting that AMF inoculation has a positive effect on the growth of Capsicum annuum and improves the physical properties of the soil by increasing the concentration of glomalin. The application of AMF can positively contribute to sustainable agriculture by reducing the use of chemical fertilizers while increasing crop growth.

The truffle and ectomycorrhizal roots formed by Tuber sp. were collected from the rhizosphere of Quercus aliena in Korea. The morphological characteristics of the ascoma, and molecular phylogenetic analysis using sequences from the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large subunit (LSU) of ribosomal DNA, translation elongation factor 1-alpha (TEF), and RNA polymerase second largest subunit (RPB2) regions confirmed the distinct morphology of the truffle. This truffle belongs to a monophyletic clade among the other Tuber species in the phylogeny. This study describes the truffle, Tuber koreanum, as a new species reported from Korea.

Endophytic fungal strains were isolated from leaves, stems, and roots of Angelica gigas. The fungal strains were identified based on their morphological characteristics and molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). A total 35 species of endophytic fungi were identified. The diversity between the endophytic fungal communities differed depending on the tissues of A. gigas. The isolated endophytic fungi were screened for antifungal activity against a pathogenic fungus, Phoma sp. Y11, using a dual culture method. Fourteen species of endophytic fungi showed the standout inhibition effect against the Y11 strain. The results suggest that the endophytic fungi isolated from A. gigas could be used as a biological control agent against leaf spot disease of A. gigas.

In this study, we isolated endophytic fungi from the conifer leaves of Pinus densiflora inhabiting Mt. Gyehwasan in Korea. We identified the isolated fungal strains based on their morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis using DNA sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, small subunit rDNA, large subunit rDNA, and β-tubulin region. In the process of this study, we confirmed two endophytic fungi that have not been recorded previously in Korea, Lophiostoma macrostomum and Pestalotiopsis lespedezae. In this report, we described the morphological characteristics of these fungal strains and the results of their molecular analysis.

In this study, we isolated endophytic fungal strains from the rhizoid and the leaf of Mnium heterophyllum and Hypnum plumaeforme, respectively. The isolated strains were identified based on morphological characters and molecular analysis of the internal transcribed spacer, large subunit rDNA, β-tubulin, and RNA polymerase II subunit regions. From the results, we confirmed two endophytic fungal species, Cercophora thailandica, and Biscogniauxia petrensis, which to the best of our knowledge, have not yet been reported in Korea. We further describe the morphological characteristics and the results of the molecular analyses of these isolated fungal strains.

The fruiting bodies and roots of a Tuber species were collected from the rhizosphere of Quercus dentata in Pohang, Korea. The morphological characteristics of the ascoma and ectomycorrhizal roots were studied, and phylogenetic analyses were performed using the sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, large subunit rDNA, and β-tubulin DNA. Based on the features of the fruiting bodies, the species was identified to be Tuber huidongense, which has not been reported earlier in Korea. The morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis of T. huidongense are described in the present study.

We isolated endophytic fungi from the leaves of woody plants inhabiting the Ulleungdo Island and Yeosu in South Korea. The fungal strains were identified based on their morphological characteristics in conjunction with phylogenetic analysis, which was performed using sequences of the internal transcribed spacer, large subunit rDNA, and β-tubulin DNA. We confirmed the presence of Neofusicoccum mangiferae and Thyronectria cucurbitula, two endophytic fungal species that had not been previously recorded in Korea. In this report, we describe the morphological characteristics of these fungal strains and results of the DNA-based phylogenetic analysis.

Spores of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (phylum Glomeromycota) were isolated from rhizosphere soil collected in Korea. We identified the morphological characteristics of the spores and performed a phylogenetic analysis using the rDNA 18S, 5.8S, and 28S regions. To the best of our knowledge, we confirm the presence of three species of glomeromycotan fungi previously not reported in Korea, namely Acaulospora delicata, Dentiscutata colliculosa, and Racocetra alborosea. We described the morphological characteristics and results of phylogenetic analysis of these species.