Genetic diversity of Neotyphodium fungal endophytes in three Iranian grass species using AFLP molecular markers

Genetic diversity of fungal endophytes, Neotyphodium species, was studied in grasses Festuca arundinacea, F. pratensis and Lolium perenne using AFLP markers. Fungi were isolated from the host leaf sheaths and Neotyphodium species were selected based on morphological characteristics. To confirm identity of selected fungi belonging to the genus Neotyphodium, polymerase chain reaction was performed using specific primers. AFLP with eight primer combinations was conducted to assess genetic variation for endophyte isolates. Cluster analysis based on AFLP data placed isolates into three separate groups according to their host species.