A new fungal endophyte, Helminthosporium velutinum, promoting growth of a bioalcohol plant, sweet sorghum.

A new fungal isolate that grows endophytically in sweet sorghum was identified as Helminthosporium velutinum Link ex Ficinus & Schubert. Light-microscopy of cross-sections of colonized sweet sorghum roots showed that the intercellular, pigmented hyphae of the fungus was mostly limited to the epidermal layer and formed outer mantle-like structures. This endophyte has the ability to significantly increase sweet sorghum biomass. This is the first report of Helminthosporium as an endophyte and could help realize sustainable the biomass production for biofuel purposes.