Isolation and identification of dark septate endophytes from sorghum roots and the effects of Alternaria destruens HN16G1 on drought and low-nutrient tolerance in sorghum seedlings
Wenbin Bai
IntroductionDark septate endophytes (DSE) are root-associated fungi that can enhance host stress tolerance, yet their diversity and function in sorghum remain unclear. Here, we investigated the culturable DSE community across 29 sorghum varieties and evaluated the symbiotic potential of key isolates.MethodsCulturable DSE were isolated from sorghum rhizosphere soil and roots via plate isolation, microscopy, and colonization assessment to screen efficient colonizers. Pot experiments then analyzed