Endophytic fungal diversity ofFragaria vesca, a crop wild relative of strawberry, along environmental gradients within a small geographical area

Abstract

BackgroundFungal endophytes are highly diverse ubiquitous asymptomatic microorganisms, some of which appear to be symbiotic. Depending on abiotic conditions and genotype of the plant, the diversity of endophytes may confer fitness benefits to plant communities.MethodsWe studied a crop wild relative (CWR) of strawberry, along environmental gradients with a view to understand the cultivable root-derived endophytic fungi that can be evaluated for promoting growth and tolerating stress in selected plant groups. The main objectives were to understand whether: (a) suboptimal soil types are drivers for fungal distribution and diversity; (b) high pH and poor nutrient availability lead to fungal-plant associations that help deliver fitness benefits; and (c) novel fungi can be identified for their use in improving plant growth, and alleviate stress in diverse crops.ResultsThe study revealed that habitats with high pH and low nutrient availability have higher fungal diversity, with more rare fungi isolated from locations with chalky soil. Plants from location G were the healthiest even though soil from this location was the poorest in nutrients. Study of environmental gradients, especially extreme habitat types, may help understand the root zone fungal diversity of different functional classes. Two small in vitro pilot studies conducted with two isolates showed that endophytic fungi from suboptimal habitats can promote plant growth and fitness benefits in selected plant groups.DiscussionTargeting native plants and crop wild relatives for research offers opportunities to unearth diverse functional groups of root-derived endophytic fungi that are beneficial for crops.

Tissue-Specific and Geographical Variation in Endophytic Fungi of Ageratina adenophora and Fungal Associations With the Environment

“…For example, the fungal diversity was positively correlated but the abundance was negatively correlated with latitude ( Figure 7C). These change patterns may be related to the selectivity of functional requirements in the assembly of endophytic fungi in plant tissues (Torres-Cortes et al, 2018) under different geographic backgrounds (Martiny et al, 2006;Rodriguez et al, 2009;Yokoya et al, 2017). In general, fungal endophyte communities vary across latitudinal gradients (Arnold and Lutzoni, 2007).…”

Mortierella Species as the Plant Growth-Promoting Fungi Present in the Agricultural Soils

“…Root-derived isolates of the endophytic fungi commonly existing in agricultural plant tissues could be beneficial for crops biopreparates. A few Mortierella strains: M. gamsii; M. verticillata and Mortierella zonata were found in Fragaria vesca roots growing in Essex in United Kingdom [118]. Moreover, remarkable growth parameters of F. vesca (number and length of leaves and roots) were associated with the occurrence of Mortierella endophytes in its tissues.…”

Diversity, plant growth‐promoting traits, and biocontrol potential of fungal endophytes of Sorghum bicolor

“…Fungal endophytes are influenced by various components, such as host species, host developmental stage, geographic location, and environmental conditions. Analysis of the diversity of endophytic fungi in different soil types and regions is important, as it helps to elucidate and understand their ecological functional role and frequency within a particular host plant (Yokoya et al , ).…”