Changes of Root Endophytic Bacterial Community Along a Chronosequence of Intensively Managed Lei Bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) Forests in Subtropical China

Abstract

Endophytic bacteria widely exist inside plant tissues and have an important role in plant growth and development and the alleviation of environmental stress. However, little is known about the response of root-associated bacterial endophytes of Lei bamboo (Phyllostachys praecox) to intensive management, which is a common management practice for high bamboo shoot production in subtropical China. In this study, we comparatively investigated the root endophytic bacterial community structures in a chronosequence of intensively managed (5a, 10a, 15a, and 20a) and extensively managed plantations (as control, Con). The results showed that endophytic Proteobacteria was the dominant bacterial phylum in the bamboo roots. Intensive management significantly increased (p < 0.05) the bacterial observed species and Chao1 (except 5a) indices associated with bamboo roots. The relative abundances of Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria (except 15a) in the intensively managed bamboo roots significantly increased (p < 0.05) compared with those in Con, while the relative abundance of Proteobacteria significantly decreased in intensively managed bamboo roots (p < 0.05). The phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were the biomarkers in Con, 5a, 15a, and 20a, respectively. Redundancy analysis (RDA) showed that soil alkali-hydrolysable N (AN), available phosphorus (AP), available K (AK), and total organic carbon (TOC) were significantly correlated (p < 0.05) with the bacterial community compositions. Our results suggest that the root endophytic microbiome of Lei bamboo was markedly influenced by intensive management practices, and the available nutrient status could be the main driving factor for such shifts. Although heavy fertilization in the intensive management system increased the diversity indices, the rapid changes in root endophyte communities and their relevant functions might indicate a high risk for sustainable management.

Native Bamboo (Indosasa shibataeoides McClure) Invasion of Broadleaved Forests Promotes Soil Organic Carbon Sequestration in South China Karst

“…The predominant bacterial species in the soil of the Bai bamboo forest was Acidobacteria at the phylum level of bacteria. This is roughly similar to the dominant bacterial flora in the soil of the Moso bamboo forest and the Lei bamboo forest [43]. The two fungi with the highest relative abundance at the fungal phylum level were Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, which were also common dominant species in the soil of the Moso bamboo forest [37].…”

Comparative analysis of endophytic fungal communities in bamboo species Phyllostachys edulis, Bambusa rigida, and Pleioblastus amarus

“…In recent years, the diversity of endophytic fungi in different bamboo species has been investigated including Phyllostachys praecox and Ph. edulis 19 .…”