جداسازی و شناسایی گونه‌های قارچی اندوفیت جنس Aspergillus از نخود ایرانی ( Cicer arietinum)

The study and application of different species of Aspergillus in various industries such as medicine and food have a long history. Moreover, some species of this genus have significant impact on improving plant growth by increasing the resistance of plants to pathogens and heavy metal pollution such as zinc, copper and lead. Chickpea is the second most important crop in the world with global area cultivation of 11m/ha. This study was conducted to identify the endophytic fungal species of Aspergillus genus in seed, aerial and underground organs of the plant. In order to isolate fungi, asymptomatic organs were selected, then, leaves and roots were surface sterilized in four levels including 1- immersed in 1% sodium hypochlorite for 60 seconds 2- rinsed in sterile distilled water 3-immersed in 70% ethanol for 10 seconds 4- rinsed three times in sterile distilled water. Subsequently, stems also in two levels including 1- immersed in 4% sodium hypochlorite for 2 minutes 2-rinsed in sterile distilled water; and seeds also in four levels including 1-immersed in 95% ethanol for 3 minutes 2- rinsed in sterile distilled water 3-immeresd in sodium hypochlorite 3.5% + tween 20 for 2 minutes 4- rinsed three times in sterile distilled water were sterilized. According to morphological characterization and molecular analysis of CaM genomic region, three species including A. fumigatus, A. tubingensis, and A. niger were identified. According to assessment of available mycology resources, these three fungal species are reported for the first time as endophytic fungi from Iranian chickpea.