Phylogenic diversity and tissue specificity of fungal endophytes associated with the pharmaceutical plant, Stellera chamaejasme L. revealed by a cultivation-independent approach

Abstract

The fungal endophytes associated with medicinal plants have been demonstrated as a reservoir with novel natural products useful in medicine and agriculture. It is desirable to explore the species composition, diversity and tissue specificity of endophytic fungi that inhabit in different tissues of medicinal plants. In this study, a culture-independent survey of fungal diversity in the rhizosphere, leaves, stems and roots of a toxic medicinal plant, Stellera chamaejasme L., was conducted by sequence analysis of clone libraries of the partial internal transcribed spacer region. Altogether, 145 fungal OTUs (operational taxonomic units), represented by 464 sequences, were found in four samples, of these 109 OTUs (75.2 %) belonging to Ascomycota, 20 (13.8 %) to Basidiomycota, 14 (9.7 %) to Zygomycota, 1 (0.7 %) to Chytridiomycota, and 1 (0.7 %) to Glomeromycota. The richness and diversity of fungal communities were strongly influenced by plant tissue environments, and the roots are associated with a surprisingly rich endophyte community. The endophyte assemblages associated with S. chamaejasme were strongly shaped by plant tissue environments, and exhibited a certain degree of tissue specificity. Our results suggested that a wide variety of fungal assemblages inhabit in S. chamaejasme, and plant tissue environments conspicuously influence endophyte community structure.

Differences in community composition of endophytic fungi between above- and below-ground tissues of Aristolochia chilensis in an arid ecosystem

“…The main goal of this study was to compare diversity and community composition of fungal endophytes between above-and below-ground tissues of the arid plant Aristolochia chilensis. Although there were no differences in diversity between above-and below-ground tissues, we found, in agree with previous findings [13,30,31], that number of fungal isolates from below-ground tissues was greater than that from above-ground parts. It has been suggested that tissue longevity might be a relevant factor influencing this pattern [31].…”

“…Although there were no differences in diversity between above-and below-ground tissues, we found, in agree with previous findings [13,30,31], that number of fungal isolates from below-ground tissues was greater than that from above-ground parts. It has been suggested that tissue longevity might be a relevant factor influencing this pattern [31]. Longer life of roots in comparison to leaves, particularly in arid environments, might explain the higher number of fungal endophytes associated to below-ground tissues.…”

Variation in Soil Fungal Composition Associated with the Invasion of Stellera chamaejasme L. in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau Grassland

“…Our study involved a comparison of two sites only, and thus outcomes in relation to potential influences of edaphic and S. chamaejasme factors on fungal populations were considered substantive only if the importance of site factors as potential drivers of fungal diversity was corroborated by evidence of similar relationships between these factors and fungi on the invaded site. The broad composition of the fungal communities, including the dominance of Ascomycota (greater on the invaded site) and Basidiomycota, and the small component as Glomeromycota were consistent with the findings of Jin et al [26] who generated clone libraries from rhizosphere soil and root samples of S. chamaejasme from the Tibetan plateau.…”

“…The higher relative abundance of AMF on the uninvaded site may thus contribute to the ability of plants in this site to withstand invasion. Evidence also suggests that S. chamaejasme are only rarely infected with AMF [25,26], indicating that the different levels of AMF abundance may also relate to cover of this species.…”

“…To date, much of the research on S. chamaejasme has focused on the role of allelopathic impacts on its competitive strengths (e.g., [2]). Some studies have surveyed the bacterial [23,24] and fungal [25,26] communities associated with the rhizosphere and tissues of S. chamaejasme. However, the focus of these studies did not extend to analyses of bulk soil and consideration of whether microbial communities may facilitate or be altered by the spread of this plant in alpine grassland habitats.…”