The microbiome associated with any plant plays a significant role in the life cycle of its host by performing various plant-beneficial activities. They stimulate the growth and productivity of the host plant and defend the attack of phytopathogens. Moreover, they act as a reservoir of biologically and pharmacologically important enzymes, which may find many industrial applications. Orchids are at the front line of extinction, with more species under threat globally than any other plant family. Hence, they may be considered as the indicators of the health of any ecosystem as their existence depends on many other life forms, especially fungi, owing to their role in orchid seed germination. The present study focuses on isolating and identifying the fungi associated with the absorption roots of the wild epiphytic orchid, Dendrobium ovatum. Morphological characters and molecular characterisation using the ITS primers were used to confirm the identity of the isolates. Trichoderma sp. was found to be the dominant one. Capability of the isolates to produce extracellular enzymes like amylase, cellulase, lipase, protease, laccase, and tyrosinase were analysed. The results revealed the vast gamut of beneficial attributes possessed by the fungi associated with the absorption roots of D. ovatum. The present results highlighted the importance of conservation of D. ovatum while considering the diverse microbial associates and the microhabitat it dwells.
https://doi.org/10.64873/JOSI.v37.i1-2.77-80