First report of Paraphaeosphaeria angularis as endophyte in sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) from India

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is considered to be an important crop that utilized for production of molasses, sugar and ethanol. Thus, identifying microbes associated with this plant will give more insight into plant-microbe interaction. Further, there are limited studies on sugarcane fungal endophytes. Therefore, leaves obtained from approximately 3 month old plants growing in Puducherry were screened the presence endophytes, during March 2022. The study conducted identify endophytes resulted isolation a sterile form which was identified as Paraphaeosphaeria angularis, ascomycetous species, based sequencing internal transcribed spacer 5.8S rDNA region. Maximum Likelihood method used infer evolutionary history. It first report fungus, endophyte, host India. genus known include pathogens, biocontrol agents endophytic fungi. This highlights importance studying assigning taxa forms especially plants, since species belonging Paraphaeosphaeria, viz. P. michotii reported pathogen other countries. Further reveal potential angularis occur just endophyte or capable pathogen.