Interactions between fungal endophytes and pathogens isolated from the invasive plant kudzu (<i>Pueraria montana</i> var. <i>lobata</i>)

In this study, we examined the <i>in vitro</i> interactions between fungal endophytes and pathogens isolated from the invasive plant kudzu (<i>Pueraria montana</i> var. <i>lobata</i>) and test if endophytes might facilitate pathogen growth. This represents a required initial step towards the development of candidate fungal inocula that can aid in the suppression of kudzu. While most tested endophyte-pathogen assays suggest antagonism and/or competitive exclusion, we identified several pathogen/endophyte combinations that suggest pathogen facilitation. Additional work is needed to test if these may have <i>in planta</i> effects on phytopathogenicity. The present study accentuates on the potential of fungal endophytes as an effective ecological approach to manage invasive plants <i>via</i> pathogens facilitation.