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Local Fungi Promote Plant Growth by Positively Affecting Rhizosphere Metabolites to Drive Beneficial Microbial Assembly

Summary

Researchers tested local fungal species from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to help plants grow in damaged mining areas at extremely high altitudes. The local fungi were more effective than commercial bacterial products at promoting plant growth and creating healthy soil microbiomes. These fungi work by producing special chemicals that attract beneficial microorganisms while preventing harmful fungi from growing, making them ideal for restoring ecosystems in cold, high-altitude mining regions.

Background

Mining in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau causes severe environmental damage and reduces beneficial soil microorganisms. Local fungi adapted to extreme high-altitude environments may offer advantages for ecological restoration compared to commercially available microbial agents developed for temperate regions.

Objective

To evaluate local fungal strains (Trichoderma DK and Floccularia luteovirens F18-3) for promoting plant growth and driving beneficial microbial assembly in extremely high-altitude coal mining areas above 4000 m in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.

Results

DK treatment increased shoot biomass by 28.69% and root biomass by 28.35% compared to control. DK enhanced fungal rhizosphere α-diversity (Shannon index +14.27%) and increased unique bacterial genera. Twenty differential metabolites were positively associated with plant growth and beneficial microorganisms, while D-(+)-Malic acid and Gamma-Aminobutyric acid inhibited pathogenic fungi (Cistella and Alternaria decreased by 84.20% and 58.53%).

Conclusion

Local fungi DK effectively promotes plant growth and ecological restoration in extreme high-altitude environments by regulating rhizosphere metabolites to assemble beneficial microbial communities, providing a foundation for developing specialized microbial agents for the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
  • Published in:Microorganisms,
  • Study Type:Field Experiment,
  • Source: PMC12388802, PMID: 40871256, DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms13081752
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