Diversity of Leaf Fungal Endophytes from Two Varieties and Antagonism towards Coffee Leaf Rust.

Coffee has immense value as a worldwide-appreciated commodity. However, its production faces the effects of climate change and the spread of severe diseases such as coffee leaf rust (CLR). The exploration of fungal endophytes associated with sp. has already found the existence of nearly 600 fungal species, but their role in the plants remains practically unknown. We have researched the diversity of leaf fungal endophytes in two varieties: one susceptible and one resistant to CLR. Then, we conducted cross-infection essays with four common endophyte species (three sp. and sp. 1) and (CLR) in leaf discs, to investigate the interaction of the endophytes on CLR colonisation success and severity of infection. Two sp., when inoculated 72 h before , prevented the colonisation of the leaf disc by the latter. Moreover, the presence of endophytes prior to the arrival of ameliorated the severity of CLR. Our work highlights both the importance of characterising the hidden biodiversity of endophytes and investigating their potential roles in the plant-endophyte interaction.