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Composition and Biodiversity of Culturable Endophytic Fungi in the Roots of Alpine Medicinal Plants in Xinjiang, China

Summary

Scientists studied special fungi that live inside the roots of two rare alpine medicinal plants found in China’s high mountains. They discovered that these plants host over 400 different types of fungi, including a special type called dark septate fungi that make up about half of all the fungi found. Different plant species and different mountain locations had different combinations of fungi, suggesting these fungi help the plants survive in the harsh, cold mountain environment.

Background

Endophytic fungi play important roles in plant growth and stress resistance. Dark septate endophytic (DSE) fungi are particularly important for alpine plants in harsh environments. However, the composition of root endophytic fungi in different alpine environments and between different host plants has not been well studied.

Objective

This study aims to identify and characterize culturable endophytic fungi from roots of two alpine medicinal plants (Saussurea involucrata and Rhodiola crenulata) collected from multiple sites in Xinjiang’s Tianshan and Karakoram Mountains, with emphasis on DSE fungi composition and diversity patterns.

Results

A total of 408 culturable endophytic fungi were isolated, representing 91 species from 54 genera and 31 families across 3 phyla. DSE fungi dominated at 52.94% of total isolates with Leptodontidium orchidicola as the dominant species. Significant differences in fungal composition were observed between the two plant species and across different sampling sites.

Conclusion

The composition and diversity of culturable endophytic fungi differ significantly between the two alpine medicinal plant species and across various locations, with some fungi showing host or environmental preferences. The rich endophytic fungal resources, especially DSE, suggest these fungi play crucial roles in ecological adaptation of host plants in harsh alpine environments.
  • Published in:Journal of Fungi (Basel),
  • Study Type:Field Survey and Isolation Study,
  • Source: 10.3390/jof11020113, PMID: 39997407
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