*4.3. Experimental Design*

Fungal endophytic strains LD40H and SL540T were grown on solid medium Malt Extract Agar for 21 days with 12 h photo-period under both temperature and salinity stress conditions. Several salinity concentrations were tested ranging from low ([NaCl] = 23.5 g·L−1), elevated ([NaCl] = 50 g·L−1) to extreme conditions ([NaCl] = 70 g·L−1). Three incubation temperatures were also tested within the growth range of natural LD and SL population in the temperate Atlantic ocean (10 °C, 18 °C and 25 °C). Experiments were conducted in biological triplicates.
