Nawreen Mir For endophyte isolation ideally one should use the fresh tissue, as long term storage increases the possibility of competition with other saprophyte for growth. However, if you have no option and has to store the sample, surface sterelize the tissue on collection and immediately freeze it in the liquid nitrogen and then store at -80 C. You can use this tissue within 6 months for endophyte isolation, however do not forget to surface sterilise again upon defrosting before proceeding further.

When keeping samples for a long time, make sure the surface is sterilized (disinfected) first and then stored in a sterile container. If the opposite happens, i.e. you freeze and dry the samples that have not been properly disinfected, the microbes on the surface of the sample can contaminate your samples through wounds resulting from freezing and thawing, and you will incorrectly isolate them as indoor plants.

Antethar Jabar tysm for your valuable response.

Thanks