| Endophytic fungi were isolated from leaves twigs and berries of Vaccinium macrocarpon (cranberry) and Vaccinium augustifolium (blueberry). There were 6672 fungal isolates from leaves (1600 segments), twigs (400 segments) and 400 berries. These isolates included eight genera. All fungal genera isolated were present in V. macrocarpon, two, Phoma sp. 1, and Monostichella sp., were isolated exclusively from V. macrocarpon suggesting some degree of host specificity. The fungi isolated were not site specific (Musquash Head, New Brunswick vs. Gaff Pt., Nova Scotia). One fungus, Phoma sp. 1, which was only isolated from cranberry, and from one organ within the host indicated organ specificity. Overall, fungi were isolated more frequently from twigs and berries than from leaves. Significant differences (alpha = 0.05) were observed in the distribution of the five fungi representing 95% of the total fungal isolations among berries, twigs and leaves for both plant hosts at both sites. Four of the fungi isolated were potential pathogens: Phoma spp., Cylindrosporium sp., Godronia sp., and Mycotribulus sp. |
