Metagenomic analysis decodes the fungal diversity of bio-dynamic preparations

Abstract

Aim: Biodynamic farming system involves use of 8 different biodynamic preparations (BD 500-BD 507). Multi functionality of any ecosystem is due to its microbial diversity and community composition of microbes. So the present study was aimed to determine the total fungal population viz. unculturable ones, metagenomic analysis was done. Methodology: In the present study, 18S rDNA sequencing of V3-V4 amplicon regions was performed to identify and characterize fungal diversity, which existed in these preparations. Results: Alpha diversity was found to be maximum in BD506 with 868 OTU (operational taxanomic units) and minimum in BD507 with 254 OTU. At phylum level, the most abundant phylum was Ascomycota as recorded in 7 BD preparations with exception in the BD 500 (Unassigned). At genus level highest percentage of OTU abundance was observed for unassigned genus in all BD preparations, except Mortierella in BD 500 and BD 502; Microascus in BD 501 and BD504; Gymnoascus in BD503, Scedosporium in BD 505, Mucor in BD 506 and Hyphopichia in BD 507. On the basis of species diversity, BD502, 503 and 506 showed high percentage of OTU abundance for Mucor racemosus, while Mortierella oligospora was abundant in BD500, Dipodascus geotrichum in BD 501, Kernia pachypleura in BD504, Petriella setifera in BD505 and Hyphopichia burtonii in BD 507. Interpretation: This indicated a unqiue class of fungus predominating each type of BD preparation. Furthermore, a large proportion of unassigned fungi at phylum and genus level were detected in metagenome analysis which might have specific roles in contributing for their overall effectiveness of each kind of BD preparations.