Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Endophytes are symbiotic microbes residing within plant tissues and protect plants against pathogens. Tea is a highly valuable and economically important commercial crop. However, little is known about the diversity and potential functions of endophytes in tea plantations. This study explored the diversity and antimicrobial potential of endophytes from the tea roots of the Kangra valley in the Western Himalayas. METHODS: Endophytes were screened for antimicrobial activity using agar over-lay and agar well assay. RESULTS: A total of 71 endophytes were isolated from the tea roots. Out of these, 19 bacteria and 16 fungi showed antimicrobial activities against one or more pathogens. Bacterial isolates with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity belonged to genera Bacillus, Burkholderia, Dyella, Lysinibacillus, Pantoea, Rhodococcus, Staphylococcus, Streptomyces, and Terracoccus. Fungal endophytes with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity showed closest identity with Alternaria, Aspergillus, Bjerkandera, Chaunopycnis, Coprinellus, Cryptosporiopsis, Fusarium, Guignardia, Hypocrea, Leptosphaerulina, Mucor, Penicillium, Thanatephorus, and Xylaria. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the potential of tea endophytes as a source of natural bioactive compounds.