Diversity and community structure of ectomycorrhizal mycorrhizal fungi in roots and rhizosphere soil of Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata in Mt. Halla

Abstract

In this study, the roots and rhizosphere soil of Abies koreana and Taxus cuspidata were collected from sites at two different altitudes on Mt. Halla. Ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) were identified by Illumina MiSeq sequencing. The proportion of EMF from the roots was 89% in A. koreana and 69% in T. cuspidata . Among EMF in rhizosphere soils, the genus Russula was the most abundant in roots of A. koreana ( p < 0.05). The altitude did not affect the biodiversity of EMF communities but influenced fungal community composition. However, the host plants had the most significant effect on EMF communities. The result of the EMF community analysis showed that even if the EMF were isolated from the same altitudes, the EMF communities differed according to the host plant. The community similarity index of EMF in the roots of A. koreana was higher than that of T. cuspidata ( p < 0.05). The results show that both altitude and host plants influenced the structure of EMF communities. Conifers inhabiting harsh sub-alpine environments rely strongly on symbiotic relationships with EMF. A. koreana is an endangered species with a higher host specificity of EMF and climate change vulnerability than T. cuspidata . This study provides insights into the EMF communities, which are symbionts of A. koreana, and our critical findings may be used to restore A. koreana .

Fungal Microbiome of Alive and Dead Korean Fir in its Native Habitats

“…It was also shown that Clavulina had significantly higher proportions of the ECM fungi in the roots of A. koreana on Mt. Halla [ 23 , 82 ]. Therefore, Clavulina could be considered in future A. koreana reforestation programs to establish ECM networks between the fungus and plant in their natural habitats.…”

“…Furthermore, Tomentella was also one of the most dominant ECM fungi in the roots of A. koreana on Mt. Halla in culture-dependent [ 23 ] and culture-independent [ 82 ] studies. Hence, it can be assumed that Tomentella spp.…”

“…It was also reported that the ECM fungi have a symbiotic relationship with coniferous plants including the genus Abies [ 35 , 37–40 ]. However, only limited studies have been conducted on the AM and ECM formed by Korean fir by using recently emerging culture-independent molecular technologies in its natural regions of Korea [ 23 , 24 , 41 ].…”