Fungal community dynamics in the roots and root zone soil of Spathoglottis plicata at different development stages

Abstract:

[Objective] To investigate the fungal diversity and community dynamics in the roots and root zone soil of the invasive species Spathoglottis plicata at different development stages and mine potential fungal resources. [Methods] The developmental period of S. plicata was divided into the protocorm, pre-seedling, middle-seedling, late-seedling, adult, and flowering stages. Fungal community composition and diversity in the roots and root zone soil were analyzed by QIIME 2 and other software. Fungal strains were isolated by the tissue culture method from the protocorms and seedlings of S. plicata, and the phylogenetic relationship of the strains was analyzed. [Results] The dominant fungi in the roots and root zone soil of S. plicata were Tulasnellaceae and Onygenaceae, respectively. The fungal community composition of S. plicata varied across different developmental stages. Tulasnellaceae was the most prevalent from the protocorm to middle-seedling stage, while Nectriaceae and Trichocomaceae became dominant during the late-seedling stage and adult stage. At the flowering stage, Ceratobasidiaceae presented high relative abundance. A total of 101 fungal strains were isolated from the protocorms and seedling roots of S. plicata, belonging to 13 families, in which strains of Tulasnellaceae accounted for 35.65%, being dominant. [Conclusion] The present study elucidated the fungal community composition and diversity dynamics in the roots and root zone soil of S. plicata at different development stages. The findings offer a theoretical foundation for comprehensively understanding of the intricate relationship between orchids and symbiotic fungi and facilitating the selection of optimal habitats for the conservation of rare and endangered orchid species.